Appleton, WI Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing body
- Municipal Services Committee
- New street terraces
- Planted at city expense
- Dead-tree replacement window
- 2 years, no extra cost
- Assessment authority
- Wis. Stat. 27.09 / 66.0627
- Owner-requested planting elsewhere
- Permit + owner pays
Summary
Appleton assigns terrace (parkway) tree planting to the Municipal Services Committee and Parks and Recreation Committee under Code of Ordinances Sec. 21-48. New street terraces get trees at city expense; property owners can request additional plantings on established streets, with costs split under state law.
(b) New streets. Following the installation of curbing and sidewalks, the committee of jurisdiction, either by ... request of the property owner or by resolution of the Common Council, shall cause trees to be planted in the terraces of such streets in the proper season. The location of each tree, the species and size of stock are to be determined by the committee. All or part of the cost of such planting may be assessed against each lot or parcel of adjacent property in accordance with W.S.A. §27.09 or W.S.A. §66.0627. The committee shall replace any tree planted under the plan which does not survive a period of two (2) years at no additional cost of the owners of the adjacent property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 21-48 of the Appleton Municipal Code, the committee of jurisdiction controls how parkway (terrace) trees go into the ground along city streets. On new streets, once curbing and sidewalks are installed, the committee plants terrace trees either at the property owner's request or by Common Council resolution, choosing the location, species and size of each tree. Costs for that planting may be assessed against the adjacent lot or parcel under Wis. Stat. 0627, but the committee must replace, at no extra cost to the owner, any tree that dies within two years of planting.
On established streets, the committee can order additional trees planted or unsightly/diseased trees removed and replaced; the city pays for removal of existing trees, while replanting costs may again be assessed to adjacent owners under Wis. Stat. 0627, with the same two-year replacement guarantee. When a street is widened, Sec. 21-48(a) requires new terrace trees at city expense if the committee finds the remaining terrace can reasonably support tree growth; if not, the committee may plant on private property abutting the widened street with the owner's written permission, after which upkeep becomes the property owner's job.
Any owner who wants to plant a tree in a public place elsewhere must get a permit specifying species, size and location, and bears the planting cost themselves under Sec. 21-48(d).
Violations & Fines
There is no separate penalty schedule tied to Sec. 21-48 itself; planting, altering or removing a terrace tree without the required committee permit falls under Sec. 21-47's general permit requirement and can be cited under the article's enforcement provisions (cross-referenced at Sec. 21-30 to the citation schedule in Sec. 1-17 and 1-18). Unauthorized private plantings in the right-of-way can be removed at the owner's cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides what species of tree gets planted in my terrace?
Do I have to pay for a new terrace tree in front of my house?
What happens if the city plants a tree and it dies?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Appleton
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