Forestry

The City of Westminster Forestry Team works to preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and diverse tree canopy through progressive urban forestry practices and community engagement.

To achieve our vision, we aim to employ the most effective arboricultural techniques, utilize equipment and technology that results in timely and efficient work and to work closely with the citizens and commercial partners who are part of Westminster's urban forest.

Currently, Westminster Forestry actively maintains over 14,000 trees in parks, greenbelts, facilities and rights-of-way.

There are also thousands of trees found within the 3,090 acres of open space across the city. Management of open space trees focuses on hazard mitigation and protection from wildlife damage. Dead trees, broken branches and downed woody debris commonly are left in our natural areas as they play an important role in the ecosystem.

Westminster Forestry coordinates several programs and offers various services available to residents: 

Planting Programs 

Self-Serve Site for Free Mulch (Closed May 30 for 2023 season)

Tree Limb Recycling (Free mulch is no longer available for 2023 season)

Christmas Tree Recycling

Emerald Ash Borer

Right-of-Way Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Program

Heritage Trees of Westminster Map

Russian Olive Removal

The Forestry Team is available to help citizens with the care of their trees, and we are happy to address concerns related to our urban forest. Learn more about proper tree care:

How to Hire a Tree Care Company

Recommended Tree and Plant List

Winter Pruning Techniques

Right-Of-Way trees in the City of Westminster are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner which includes pruning, removing, applying pesticide treatments, and replacing trees.

To find out if your tree is maintained by the City, click here. Green dots are trees maintained by the City, all other trees are the responsibility of adjacent property owners or HOA’s.

Topping trees destroys trees

While pruning your trees this year - don't "top" them! Topping trees is the indiscriminate cutting back of tree branches to stubs or lateral branches to stubs. Topping is the most harmful tree pruning practice known. It can kill trees, weaken trees, promote rapid decay, lead to sunburn injury, destroy the beauty of the tree and lead to tree starvation.