Urban Forestry
Trees have long been recognized for the beauty and value they lend to our homes, neighborhoods, parks, and business areas. Not only do trees enhance and beautify our city, but they also provide shade and visual screening, conserve energy, help clean the air, store carbon, protect our rivers and streams and provide shelter for wildlife. More and more communities across the world are valuing trees as "green infrastructure" for their contributions toward climate and weather resiliency.
Surrounded by national forests and other public lands, the City of Red Lodge is fortunate to be situated in a corridor and climate conducive to continued tree growth. In addition, many early community members recognized the value of trees and chose to plant a variety of species within the parks and along the streets. We are now enjoying the benefits of mature trees thanks to the investment and commitment of the early settlers.
Current Efforts
Today, the City continues its commitment to the maintenance & enhancement of its “urban forest” through participation in several events, programs and affiliations. For more information read the Urban Forestry Management Plan.
- The City has received several state and federal funds to support tree planting, pruning and removal in the past years.
- A supplemental Tree City USA Growth Award for 2018 was awarded to the City for the first time. Points were earned for annual increases in spending on urban forests, continuing education for tree board members, City zoning ordinance regulations updates to improve the standards in trees in parking lots, the cost-share street tree planting program and the wildland fire prevention program. Visit our Tree City page to learn more about Red Lodge's Tree City affiliation.
- Annually, Parks Board members and volunteers prune over 100 trees on City street boulevards.
- In 2021, in recognition of urban forests as more than trees, Red Lodge adopted the Bee City USA resolution. Visit our page to learn more about the Bee City affiliation.
- We continue to offer a Cost-Share Tree Program to property owners within the City limits. Through this program we have planted about 140 trees along City Right-of-Ways.
