Forestry Subsidy Program

trees along a trail

Alert: Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in Littleton. 
For additional information on the Emerald Ash Borer, visit the EAB resource page.

What is Littleton’s Forestry Subsidy Program? 

The City has a limited amount of funds house in an account with the long-term goal of pursuing a fair and equalized distribution of canopy cover throughout the city. The fund is refilled by fees and fines associated with forestry operations. In short, the program works by a city of Littleton resident applying for an approved re-imbursement from the City of Littleton (up to $500). Priority order will go towards protecting ash trees against emerald ash borer, planting new trees in low- canopy neighborhoods, and hazardous tree removals.

Program Details

City of Littleton’s Forestry staff has authority to determine tree eligibility including, but not limited to, determining appropriate candidate for chemical treatment, hazard ranking via tree risk assessment model, sustainable planting locations, and priority. First priority goes to mitigating impacts of Emerald Ash Borer and slowing the spread.

Services:

Ash chemical treatment:

Large trees: 10-inch DSH (diameter at standard height) or greater. *At this time The City is only providing financial support for injections on large ash trees.

Treatments:

  • Systemic Trunk injection:
    • Subsidy covers 100% of costs up to $500.
  • Other Ash chemical treatment (soil drench, bark spray):
    • Subsidy covers 50% of costs up to $500. 

    *We do not support any foliar spray treatments.

New Tree Plantings:

  • New Tree Planting through a contracted company (limited to low canopy neighborhoods)

Tree Removals:

The subsidy covers 100% of the total cost for infected or hazardous tree removals, up to $500.

  • Ash removals: Must be removed to a stump of less than 24 inches in height.
  • Hazard tree removals: Trees that have been declared hazardous. Forestry staff has liberties in determining “hazardous.”
    • Priority goes to trees that pose potential threat to public right-of-way (ROW).
    • Must be removed to a stump less than 24 inches in height OR apply for the tree to be a City of Littleton certified habitat tree.

Requirements

  • Staff will be required to inspect and approve the subsidy for “hazardous removals only".
  • All work must be performed by a City of Littleton licensed company (view Licensed Arborists).
  • All chemical treatment must be performed by applicators who are licensed by the State of Colorado.
  • Tree must be in the City of Littleton (view city limit map).
  • Commercial and industrial properties are not eligible.
  • Only one application allowed per address per calendar year (never to exceed $500).
  • If you represent an HOA, bundling work might give you better contractor rates.

Steps to Receive Reimbursement

Step 1.Applicant contacts preferred contractor to receive proposal for work

Contractor must be a City of Littleton Licensed Arborist (view Licensed Arborists list) and obtain an itemized quote for the tree removal, tree treatment, or tree planting.

Step 2.Apply online using this link 
(Versión en español)

Step 3.Applicant accepts the contractor's proposal and schedules the work with contractor.

Step 4.After work is completed, applicant sends city proof of paid invoice.

Paid invoices should be emailed to: forestry@littletonco.gov. City staff will acknowledge proof of paid invoice and will start scheduling inspection visits on or about September 1.

Step 5.City staff conducts final site visit to confirm completion.

City staff will inspect the tree to determine its eligibility for reimbursement and confirm completion.

Step 6.Finally, applicant will receive a check in the mail from the City of Littleton within 2-4 weeks of The City receiving the invoice.

Littleton canopy map
View map as PDF(PDF, 2MB)

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