Tree Planting: A Resource Guide for Homeowners

Are you thinking of planting a tree on your property, but want help deciding what to buy or how to plant? Then this resource guide is for you. It compiles multiple general resources on selecting and planting a tree, as well as Grinnell specific regulations.

First: why should you plant a tree on your property?

1. Trees reduce heating and cooling bills

2. Trees can filter and purify groundwater

3. They provide habitat for native pollinators

4. Trees take in atmospheric carbon and exhale oxygen

5. Trees can be a source of food

6. They make spaces more beautiful and green (can increase property value)

7. Trees are historical markers

What’s in this guide:

• Planting order of operations

• Picking a tree

• City codes and ordinances

• Sourcing your tree

• Tree Care

Planting: Order of Operations

1. Select a tree and location

2. Call the diggers hotline, Iowa One Call

3. If applicable, apply for a city tree planting permit

4. Order, receive, and plant your tree

5. Long term tree care

Picking a Tree

Natives are best

An exotic ornamental tree may be pretty, but Iowa native trees are always the better option to plant. Not only are they better adapted to this climate and will survive the winters better, but are crucial for native pollinator species which rely on them for food or homes. These pollinator species are often in population decline because of decreased habitat availability, but are necessary for keeping plants healthy, eating pest species, and keeping the ecosystem balanced. Planting non-native or exotic species can bring invasive pests to this area, and non-native trees may have shorter lifespans and can be more susceptible to disease. 

Here is a list of native trees to choose from. 

Consider location

The type of tree you plant should fit within its location. Are you planting under power lines or near other utilities? Are you planting on high ground or low ground? Are you planting near other trees or buildings that will create shade? Are you planting near pavement or building foundations? The answers to all these questions should inform both where and what you plant. It is important to consider what the best tree for your prospective location is because that will both improve the tree's long term health and reduce costs for maintenance and damages.

Think about diversity and maintenance

If you already have many of the same kind of tree in your yard or neighborhood, such as maples, consider getting another species to increase our urban forest diversity and protect against storm damage. Thicker tree canopies are more resilient to storm damages and certain species are more or less susceptible to storm or pest damages, which can be expensive in the long run, so choose your tree accordingly. Some trees require more care and maintenance such as pruning and watering, keep this in mind. Urban trees are very important in saving homeowners money on heating and cooling bills as well. This is because they shelter and “insulate” homes, which not only saves on the HVAC bill, but reduces household carbon emissions, ½ an acre of forest consumes the same amount of yearly carbon emissions from a car.

Having a diverse urban tree population in Grinnell makes the forest more resilient to pests, storms, disease and climatic changes, so having many different ages and species of trees makes our tree community stronger. Having many kinds of trees reduces the cost of maintenance and positively impacts everyone.

Here is a guide from Trees Forever about selecting a tree.

This is the current City of Grinnell recommended tree list for shade and street trees.

City Code and Ordinances

The City of Grinnell has specific rules about how and where tree planting is allowed, which is outlines in Chapters 151 (Trees) and 152 (Landscape Regulations) For the homeowner the rules are most important regarding the right of way (ROW) strip: the 15 ft span from the road into your yard. Here are the full city ordinance codes if you wish to read for more detail. 

The City generally councils you to not plant in the ROW because the care and upkeep costs of those trees are the responsibility of the City. If you do want to plant in the ROW, you must first secure a planting permit documenting your adherence to the regulations. 

This is the application for ROW tree planting.

Here is a summary for ROW tree planting rules:

• ROW planting is only allowed if there is no other acceptable space in your front yard

• Tree species must be on the recommended trees list

• Must be 4.5 ft from the sidewalk

• If your property is on a corner, a tree cannot be planted on corners due to visibility issues. The visibility triangle that must stay clear is 75 feet in both directions starting at the corner and the intervening space (the triangle those two lines make)

  Cannot be directly over utility lines

• Can only be under utility lines if specified by the recommended tree list

• Homeowners are responsible for calling the Iowa One Call diggers hotline

Local Nurseries to Order From

Sometimes nurseries have limited selection of trees, but don’t be discouraged, keep calling around to find the tree you want. Many nurseries deliver trees for a fee, but all will allow you to pick up trees from them on site. A quick internet search will have more comprehensive results and allow you to shop around for the right tree at the best price.

Some suggestions for buying local:

• Bentley Ridge

• Miller Nursery 

• Frazier Nursery

• Lewis Brothers Tree Farm

• Kelly Tree Farm

Specializing in Natives:

• DNR State Nursery

• Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs

• Iowa City Landscaping

• McGinnis Tree and Seed Company

The 1000+ Trees effort has a goal to help plant 1000 trees in the next three years and is offering spring and fall reduced price tree sales, a seedling giveaway, and depending on location free tree giveaways to qualifying addresses. If you would like to learn more about 1000+ Trees, their bulk ordering tree discount sales or the volunteering group TreeCorps who work to plant and take care of trees around Grinnell (upon request). Please email info@grinnell.org.

Taking Care of Your Tree

The Iowa DNR has amazing guides and resources to help you through this process as well. Check out their info and guides to tree selection, planting and maintenance.

Here is a very comprehensive guide from the Forest Service about taking care of your young tree after you have planted it. And here is a shorter guide about basic tree care from Trees Forever.

The most important aspects of young tree care are these:

• Planting - following best practice for your tree planting will ensure that tree’s long term health. Watch a short video and also, here is a planting guide from Trees Forever.

• Mulching - mulch the tree in a ‘donut style’ about 2ft out from the trunk in a circle, making an open ring around the trunk (do not cover the trunk with mulch).

• Staking - depending on the size/age of tree you plant, it may need support stakes, be sure to check and adjust them as the tree grows

• Watering - As a basic rule, freshly planted trees need about 5-10 gallons of water per week for the first year. This is best done with deep watering, slow release watering systems. Learn about deep watering your tree here.

We encourage people to plant and care for their own trees, but there are many instances where people are unable to do that, but still want to have trees on their property. If this applies to you, the TreeCorps volunteer force may be able to help. They are a volunteering group dedicated to helping with planting and maintaining trees in the Grinnell area. Check out the website or send an inquiry to info@grinnell.org.