Urban Forestry.
Other Tree Planting Programs.
The Memorial Tree Program encourages tree donations to honor, memorialize, or celebrate a special person, place, or event. Memorial Tree donations are accepted any time of the year, however, trees will be planted during the appropriate planting season. Memorial Trees will be designated with a small brick or plaque. Monetary donations are also accepted and will be earmarked for future Memorial Tree projects.
The Hamilton Parks Conservancy is responsible for administering the Memorial Tree Program, while the City of Hamilton’s Municipal Arborist coordinates the purchase and planting of trees on behalf of the Parks Conservancy. Please call 513.785.7055 for more information or to make a Memorial Tree donation.
View the list of approved trees for planting in public parks, rights-of-way, and green spaces here.
Memorial Tree Program
Residents interested in having a tree planted in the right-of-way in front of their home may participate in the Adopt-A-Tree Program. Through the program, residents purchase one (1) tree at a reduced price from a participating local nursery. The City also contributes $50 toward the cost of the tree.
The City of Hamilton Municipal Arborist coordinates the tree planting to ensure it is planted appropriately and in the right location, while ongoing watering is the responsibility of the resident. If special circumstances exist that prevent a resident from fulfilling this obligation, the Municipal Arborist must be notified.
In some instances, it may not be possible to plant a tree in the right-of-way. Size of the right-of-way, location of street lights and underground utilities, and visibility safety concerns must all be considered before an Adopt-A-Tree request will be granted. The Municipal Arborist will review each Adopt-A-Tree request on a case-by-case basis.
Please call 513.785.7556 or email dave.bienemann@hamilton-oh.gov to request an Adopt-A-Tree permit or to learn more about the program.
View the rules and regulations related to trees planted in public rights-of-way, including the list of approved street trees, here.
Adopt-A-Tree Program
The City of Hamilton Utilities is giving away 50, 5 gallon sized trees (4-8 ft tall) for energy conservation. This program is only for residents who own homes in Hamilton. Businesses and rental properties do not qualify for this program. If you received a tree from a previous Energy Saving Trees Program, you are not eligible to receive another tree. The program will begin mid September 2024. Please contact the Municipal Arborist then for a free tree at 513-785-7556 or email dave.bienemann@hamilton-oh.gov.
Energy Saving Trees Program
The Urban Forestry Division will be giving away free native tree seedlings in the fall. Please contact the Municipal Arborist in Mid September for a free tree at 513-785-7556 or email dave.bienemann@hamilton-oh.gov.
Native Tree Seedlings
The City of Hamilton plants between 100 and 150 new trees in the public rights-of-way (the green space between the sidewalk and curb) in May to June and 100 to 150 trees between November and December. The planting locations are based on research (Tree Canopy, Tree Equity and Transplant Shock Growth Recovery).
Trees are selected for each location to ensure that the tree will have adequate space to grow and will not interfere with the infrastructure such buildings, sidewalks, and utilities. Before the planting begins, letters will be sent out to each home where a tree will be planted to notify the owner. Then, underground utilities will be marked with paint as well as a white dot as to where the new tree will be planted.
Once a new tree is planted, a tree gator bag will be placed around the base of the tree. For the next two years, the city will fill these bags with water because newly planted trees require more frequent watering than older, well-established trees.
If you have any questions about new tree plantings, you can contact the City’s Municipal Arborist, Dave Bienemann at 513-785-7556 or dave.bienemann@hamilton-oh.gov.