Waukesha board recommends $397 per-tree assessment for spring street-planting program
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Summary
Waukesha Parks staff presented a spring 2026 street-tree planting plan and recommended the Common Council set a public hearing on a $397-per-tree assessment. Staff estimated average cost per tree of $428.88 and labor of $229.72; the board voted unanimously to recommend the assessment.
The Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board recommended that the Common Council set a public hearing to consider a $397-per-tree assessment for the spring 2026 public street planting program. Forestry staff said they will buy trees directly from multiple nurseries and contract installation, while planting memorial and retirement trees in-house.
Why it matters: The board sought to balance maintaining a diverse urban forest and limiting the assessment on private-frontage properties. Staff said direct procurement from several nurseries and city-held inventory will help manage species mix and quality control while soliciting competitive installation quotes.
Staff presentation and numbers Melissa Lipska, representing forestry staff, described the spring plan and procurement approach: "we are going to purchase the trees ourselves and we're going to hold them in our yard," then have contractors pick them up for installation. She told the board the city solicited quotes from five nurseries and expects to contract for about 155 trees this spring. Melissa reported an estimated labor cost of "$229.72 per tree" and an average total cost per tree of "$428.88," and said staff recommended keeping the assessment at $397 per tree.
Board members asked about contractor responsibilities and warranty provisions. Melissa said the city will withhold payment until work passes inspection and that staff are requesting two warranty options: one where contractors provide in-season watering and one where the city waters using seasonal staff.
Action taken The board moved to recommend the Common Council set a public hearing on the proposed assessment and voted unanimously to approve the recommendation. The motion was made by Sarah Roth and seconded by Eric Hummer.
What’s next The recommendation sends the $397-per-tree assessment to the Common Council for a public hearing at a date to be determined. Staff offered to provide further breakdowns (including a clearer separation of in-house, without-charge plantings) in a future report.
(Reporting based on board presentation and discussion; staff estimates and planned quantities come from the Feb. 16 presentation.)
