Tree Information

Street or Terrace Trees

The City of Janesville Parks Department encourages property owners to plant trees within the terrace area in front of their property. The City is not responsible for tree planting, tree care, or tree removal on public terraces abutting private property. The Parks Department has a brochure on the types of trees that are desirable, that includes general characteristics about trees, growing conditions and planting guidelines. This brochure was produced by the Janesville Shade Tree Advisory Committee with the help of a DNR Urban Forestry Grant. Copies are available to the public at City facilities or contact Leisure Services to receive a copy. Call the City Services Center for questions about trees.

The property owner is responsible for the care, maintenance, and any removal of trees within the terrace area. A tree must be kept trimmed so that its lower limbs are at least 7 feet above the sidewalk, and 15 feet above the surface of the street that the tree extends over.

Tree and Shrubbery Requirements: Hazardous to Passersby

It shall also be the duty of every owner of any tree, bush, shrubbery or vegetation of any kind which stands within the limits of any street, or which is so located or growing that if any of its limbs, branches or other foliage fell it might create a hazard to those lawfully using the street or sidewalk, to remove all trees, bushes, shrubbery, vegetation or limbs thereof which are so aged or decayed, or in such condition so as to create a hazard to those lawfully using the sidewalks or other portions of the street. (Ord. 12.24.020).

Ord. 12.24.50 gives the property owner ten days to comply with orders from the street commissioner (Operations Department) or city engineer to remove or trim trees shrubs deemed hazardous. After that time period the City will do the necessary work and the costs will be invoiced to the property owner.

Firewood on Public Land

Each fall or winter, if trees are available for removal, the Parks Department allows Janesville residents to obtain dead park trees for their own use as firewood. The City cuts the trees down, and for a small fee ranging up to $20 per tree, permit holders may then cut up and remove this wood. Call Janesville Leisure Services if you wish to have your name placed on a future contact list regarding these sales.

Wood Chips & Compost

City residents may take wood chips and compost for personal use without charge from the City compost site, located adjacent to the Demolition Landfill off Black Bridge Rd. Compost is generally available, however, it is not screened and may contain large branches or other debris that must be removed. Wood chips are available only when local tree services drop off excess material. Wood chips may contain branches or other debris and are often unavailable. Depending on the material in the wood chips they may be very high in nitrogen or chemicals which can cause damage to plants. Use caution with incompletely composted material. These materials are available during regular Copost Site and Demolition Landfill hours of operation. For more information visit the Demolition Landfill page or the Composite Site page.

Insects That Harm Trees

Gypsy Moths

The year 2000 marked the first time that gypsy moths were found in any Janesville Parks. Gypsy moths were imported from Europe in 1869. Unfortunately, a few escaped and what resulted was defoliation and devastation of trees and forests from the East Coast moving west. The moths entered Wisconsin in 1971. Today many eastern Wisconsin communities are seeing sharp increases in the gypsy moth populations. If left unchecked gypsy moths grow in numbers and defoliate many trees, however, they prefer oak. Obviously, trees in your yard are just as susceptible as park trees.

In 2002 a large population of gypsy moths was detected, trapped, and treated in Lustig Park. In 2001, a population was detected in the Racine St. and Palmer Dr. area. We are no longer in the area that is being treated by the DNR. Walworth County had two small areas treated in 2004 and spray areas for 2005 have not yet been determined. We are alert to the concern of gypsy moths in our park system and we want to protect the beautiful trees we now enjoy. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection manages the aerial spray program. Information about the program is available by calling 1-800-642-MOTH or visit the Department of Natural Resources web site.

Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald as borer is an exotic pest, native to Asia, currently threatening the ash tree resource in the Great Lakes region. The emeradle ash borer belongs to a group of insects known as metallic wood-boring beetles and is similar to the bronze-headed birch borer. Since its recent discovery in southeastern Michigan it has spread to Ohio, Indiana, the southwestern most and northwestern most counties in Michigan. It is only a matter of time before this insect makes its way to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin has more than 600,000,000 ash trees in its forests, rural and urban. In Michigan many areas were completely deforested. Unlike the gypsy moth which only eats leaves the emereald ash borer eats vascular tissue beneath the bark and kills the tree in 1 to 3 years. Please visit the DNR site that describes this insect: early identification and control will help protect our ash tree resource.

Boxelder Trees and Bugs

Boxelder trees, a native soft maple, attract and provide food for boxelder bugs. The bugs themselves do little damage to landscape plants but may nest and winter under house siding. They swarm and produce some insect frass. Boxelder trees grow in communities in the greenbelts, and generally anywhere that has been disturbed, throughout the city. The boxelder bug is one of the reasons that the City will, as time allows, remove the boxelder trees from greenbelts. Another reason is that the boxelder community eliminates understory plants and creates soil erosion potentially eliminating surface water absorption into the ground.

The Parks Department has brochures on how to control boxelder bugs and also Asian lady beetls. For copies of the brochures contact the Parks Department.