All residents wishing to plant a tree on the boulevard in front of their property must have a boulevard planting permit issued by the Forestry Division of the Parks and Recreation Department. The permit is free (download planting permit Or apply online). Once we receive the permit application, we will visit your property and put a white flag at each available planting space. Next you will be sent the planting permit with the recommended species for each planting space. Proper planting is essential for the long term survival of the tree Find our Approved Boulevard Tree Planting List here. Once the tree is in the ground it is considered public property. Please refer to Ordinance 9-4 for boulevard maintenance requirements. 

A public tree planting guide can assist you with proper placement and planting. 

Apply online for Boulevard Tree Planting permit: https://lf.rochestermn.gov/Forms/TreePlantingPermit

Tips for New Tree Care

DO's

• Water you tree every week. Depending on size, some trees may require around 15 gallons of water each week. Be careful not to saturate the soil, simply keep it moist.
• Mulch your tree each spring or fall. This helps to retain moisture and keep out weeds. Make sure that the mulch does not touch the trunk and that it is around 4 inches deep.
• Remove stakes after about one growing season. If not removed at the appropriate time, girdling of the trunk can occur and prevent proper nutrient movement through the tree. Please notify the forestry department if your young tree needs its stakes removed.

DON'TS

• Avoid causing damage to the tree via lawn mowers, trimmers, and bicycles.
• Avoid using weed killers near newly planted tree and applying fertilizer for the first few years.

For more information, download the planting requirements and specs guide
For tips on planting, pruning, and tree care, download the US Forest Service's Tree Owner's Manual

Boulevard trees are public property. It is illegal to perform any work to a boulevard tree without a permit. Only licensed tree companies will be issued permits to work on boulevard trees (download blvd tree work permit). Anyone wishing to have work performed on a public tree must apply for a permit and the permit must be approved before any work can occur.

The City of Rochester allows for trees and grass to be planted on the boulevard. Additionally a tall grass and weed ordinance is enforced. Turf grasses are not allowed to exceed 12” in height by ordinance. A natural landscape permit must be obtained from the Forestry division by anyone wishing to have turf grasses greater then 12" in their yard or on the boulevard.  Any plantings in the boulevard, outside of turf grasses, also requires a natural landscape permit. (download natural landscape permit). 

Permits do not allow for growth of noxious weeds. MDA Noxious weed list can be found here. 

Permits can be applied for online. (Natural Landscape Permit Online Application) 

Example filled out permit can be found here.

The City of Rochester keeps an updated list of all licensed tree companies. 
All businesses performing tree work for hire must have a license to do work within Rochester city limits. The licensing process allows us to verify that each company has the appropriate insurance for your protection.

Use these coupons below from our local tree care companies for great deals!

The Unified Development Code is Rochester’s zoning ordinance.  Chapter 60.400 establishes that certain types of development are required to plant boulevard trees as a condition of developing private property within the City of Rochester. 

Unified Development Code

Tree planting details can be found in Section 60.400.60A.

• Boulevard trees shall be required for Type 3 final plats; Type 2 land subdivisions; conditional use permits (incentive development, restrictive development, and conventional conditional use permits); or site development plans.
• Boulevard Trees are required at 35 foot spacing for commercial zoned properties and 50 foot spacing in residential zoned properties. Prior to planting boulevard trees, a no cost tree planting permit is required, in accordance with RCO 9-4-4. As part of the permit process Forestry staff will review the landscape plan for species, locational criteria, and site conditions, as part of the permit approval process. A boulevard tree planting application, approved boulevard species list and planting information sheet is available. The approved tree planting permit will be required prior to the final certificate of occupancy being issued.
• Tree planting must be in accordance with Public Works Specifications and Standards Detail Plates for Tree Planting, Preservation and Protection
• Developers also have the option of paying the city to manage the planting of the required boulevard trees (Payment in lieu).The price per tree is established annually through a competitive bid process. Developers wanting to utilize this option can contact the Parks and Recreation Department.