Parks & Recreation

forestry

The Forestry Division maintains approximately 7,340 urban trees and regularly plants adaptable trees to attain a diverse and healthy urban forest. Select one of the sections below for more information.

Tree & Shrub Guide

The Durango Tree & Shrub Guide offers information on:

• ideal plantings for Durango
• the Tree and Shrub Ordinance
• Landscaping Regulations
• Tree Planting, Tree Pruning and Maintenance
• U.S.D.A Hardiness Zone Map
• attributes and information on Evergreen Trees, Deciduous Shade and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

Urban Forest Planting Program

The City of Durango has developed a Tree Cost Share Program to assist homeowners in planting trees on their property in the City public right-of-way. This program was developed to increase Durango's urban forest, improve the environment and to beautify the streets of the City. The program pays half of the cost of the tree and the labor to plant it. The City prunes the tree and the homeowner is responsible for watering the tree and maintaining the ground cover in the right-of-way.

• The standard shade or ornamental tree is 2" caliper or 2" in diameter measured 6" above the root ball.
• The average cost to the homeowner is approximately $200 per tree. This amount includes the cost to purchase the tree and the labor to plant it.
• To participate in the tree sharing program, the homeowner will need to contact the City Arborist by October 30 to ensure a spot on the following spring planting list.
• Planting season starts April 1 and runs through June 30 every year. All inquiries after June 30 will be carried over to the following year.

For more information, please view our Urban Forest Planting Program flyer.

Urban Forest Tree Inventory

The City of Durango Parks and Recreation Department has completed an up-to-date urban forest tree inventory of all City-owned and managed trees. The data was collected on hand-held computers using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) information formats. This inventory is intended to give an accurate estimate of condition, number of trees and help re-evaluate tree management needs in the City of Durango.

Contact Ron Stoner, City Arborist at 375-7383 or stonerra@ci.durango.co.us