“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
Healthy trees are critical to the Old North End Neighborhood. Trees add shade to cool your home in the summer, block wind in the winter, clean the air we breathe, provide homes for wildlife, increase your home’s privacy, reduce total road noise, prevent erosion and add to the Old North End’s reputation for a beautiful canopy. Along with the beautiful homes, trees are often cited as the neighborhood’s defining characteristic.
Magic of Tree-Lined Streets (Strong Towns)
Many of the trees in our neighborhood are reaching their normal end of life or have been lost due to the stress of drought or disease. Caring for the trees of our neighborhood is a major priority for the ONEN Board and our efforts include:
- Funding for emergency watering during droughts by longtime ONEN sponsor, Mountain High Tree Care
- Educating neighbors on tree care and selection
- ONEN Tree Planting Program
- North End Woodlands, focused on restoring trees on our historic medians
ONEN Tree Planting Program
Each spring (~mid April) ONEN purchases trees for placement throughout the neighborhood. Tree comes with mulch, planting/watering instructions and, if available, a water bag. If you want to plant a tree (even if you physically can’t) and can commit to watering it regularly, please request a tree by email to trees@oldnorthend.org
If you have a water bag from prior years, please return to 222 E San Miguel so we can lend it to another neighbor.
Trees Planted through the ONEN Tree Program
2019: 43 (10 Red Bud, 10 Northern Catalpa, 10 Bur Oak, 10 Glenleven Linden, 3 Shumard Oak)
2018: 51
2017: Funding diverted to North End Woodlands to support median tree restoration
2016: 55 (10 Japanese Pagoda, 15 Glenleven Linden, 15 London Planetree, 15 Hot Wings Tatarian Maple )
2015: 30 (15 Corinthian Lindens,10 Hot Wings Tatarian Maple, 5 Canada Red Cherry) – Map of Trees
2014: 35 (20 Pacific Sunset Maples, 5 Redbuds, 10 Canada Red Cherry)
2011: 101
2010: 71
2009: 105
1993-2009: No data available. Check out this article in the Gazette that features Japanese Pagoda Trees that were planted in the 1200 block of N. Weber
1991-1992: 150 large and mature trees (including trees along Wahsatch Ave in front of Bon Shopping Center). See article
1978-1990: 20 trees per year
Pre 1978: Program was in place. No data available on number of trees or exact year program started.
Other Great Tree Resources
Arbor Day Membership- Receive 10 Free (6-12″ ) Trees
Walk to View Notable Trees in Colorado Springs
Trees Suitable for Colorado Springs
Urban Tree Care Guide (City Forestry) – City removed this item from website. Working to have them add it back.
Do your homework, so you buy a tree that will survive and hopefully thrive in our climate
City’s Forestry Division: The Mission of the Forestry Division is to manage our urban forest in a healthy, safe, and sustainable state, which maintains our original forest legacy, manages risk, and increases the canopy coverage for shade, stormwater retention and property value.
When funding is available the City’s Forestry Division often provides trees for the right away in front of people’s homes free of charge. When the trees arrive, residents are required to pick up, plant and water their own trees (though once established most of these trees will be low-water use and drought tolerant). This program is not active let’s hope it returns in the future.
Other useful information on trees can be found on the City’s Forestry Division webpage:
City Forestry Permits
Street Tree Request Form
Trees in Electric Lines
Free Mulch
Private Tree Services
Forest Management
Colorado Springs & Trees
Forestry & Tree Resources
