Protects and maintains Cedar Rapids' urban forest. The goal of the Forestry Department is to have a tree in all available planting spaces in the right of way throughout the city.
Investing in...
Our Urban Forest
Did you know that the City of Cedar Rapids has been nicknamed the Emerald City because of its vast urban forest? We have a goal to plant 1,200 trees every year. Through diverse planting strategies, we plant 20 to 30 different species every spring and fall.
Tree Replacement & Preservation
The City's Tree Preservation Policy strives to protect trees greater than five inches in diameter and replace those trees that are removed on a one for one basis. That means we automatically replace every tree that is removed from a City right of way or parkway. In addition, the City requires trees to be planted in the right of way and tree inventories recorded prior to any land-disturbing activities in the right of ways.
Tree City USA Recognition
The City of Cedar Rapids has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for more than 40 consecutive years. We have the longest consecutive record of any city in the state of Iowa.
Learn more about the City's Forestry Division
What Can I Do?
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Plant a Tree: Choose a species recommended by the City Arborist.
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Become a TreeKeeper: Learn how to care for our city's trees.
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Plant Some Shade: Sign up to get a tree for $30
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Branching Out: Request a tree planting in your neighborhood.
