As part of the City of Fairfield’s efforts to promote sustainability, maintain the City’s Tree City status, and the many benefits provided by a healthy urban forest, the City is offering a Residential Tree Program to provide property owners with a 50% co-pay up to $200 for a tree purchased from Meyer’s Garden Center & Landscaping (5072 Dixie Highway) or by Lakeview Garden Center & Landscaping (6061 Pleasant Avenue).  The co-pay covers a portion of the cost of the tree (and can include the labor if planted by the Garden Center) for planting it on the resident’s property or (if approved) in the public right-of-way.  An approved application is required prior to purchase to ensure that funds are available.

Residential Tree Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis. When the annual Residential Tree Program budget has been exhausted, applications may be held for future consideration.  

Program applications will be taken from April 1 to November 1.  If funds are available, the Public Works Department will contact second tree requests starting October 15.

Each property owner may request one tree per year.   If the property owner is interested in more than one tree, a second tree may be requested later in the year and may be approved subject to the annual Street Tree Program budget and demand for the program by other residents.

All planting decisions regarding the Residential Tree Program are at the discretion of the Public Works Director or his designee. Planting decisions may include but are not limited to:  the location for planting, species, size, timing of planting, and replacement of trees.  The Public Works Department will work with the experts at both Garden Centers to make any necessary decisions on planting details.

Any further questions, contact the Public Works Department by email or at 513-867-4200.

Recommended Small Trees (30 feet or less at maturity; can be used in a 5 to 6 foot wide tree lawn (between curb and sidewalk).  Preference would be that trees are planted further up into the yard so as not to cause conflicts and damage to sidewalk and underground/overhead utilities.

• Trident Maple  -   Amur Maple  -  Paperbark Maple  -   Allegheny Serviceberry  -  Redbuds   -  Yellowwood  -   Dogwoods  -  Flowering Crabapple  -   Japanese Tree Lilac 

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Recommended Medium Trees (30-45 feet at maturity; can be used in a 10 foot or greater tree lawn (between curb and sidewalk). Preference would be that trees are planted further up into the yard so as not to cause conflicts and damage to sidewalk and underground/overhead utilities.

• Maples  -  Thornless Honeylocust  -   Goldenraintree  -  Brackens Brown Magnolia  -   Black Gum  -  Sawtooth Oak   -  Magnolia - Zelkova

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Recommended Large Trees (more than 45 feet at maturity; not recommended for use in a tree lawn (between curb and sidewalk).

• Red Maple  -   Sugar Maple  -  Autumn Blaze Maple  -   London Planetree  -  White Oak   -  Red Oak  -  Bald Cypress

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What the City will do:

1. Review the property owner’s selection of tree species.  Species must be appropriate for the size of the tree lawn and must not interfere with utilities or traffic sight lines.
2. Provide co-pay to the Garden Center.

What the Property Owner is Responsible for:

1. Submit an application to Public Works prior to purchase for approval and assurance that funding is available.
2. Select tree species from the approved list (or other trees as recommended by the experts at the Garden Center) and location.
3. Care for the tree after it is planted (watering, pruning, mulching, etc.).