It is estimated that the City of Rochester’s Forestry department manages well over 100,000 public trees within city limits. Every tree in the city is a part of Rochester’s urban forest, and the monumental task of managing our urban forest has given rise to the need of an overarching plan. To reach that need the City of Rochester had partnered with Planit Geo, an urban forestry consultant company, to create an Urban Forest Master Plan. This plan was designed to provide a framework for the City to maintain and improve its urban forest for years to come.
The development of the UFMP required an in-depth analysis of Rochester’s urban forest. For the analysis, citywide tree canopy cover, and the City’s online tree inventory were assessed.
The assessment found:
- 86 unique species were identified
- Norway Maple was the highest percent of our total public inventoried trees at 9%, followed by Ash at 9%
- 49% of our inventoried public trees are in the 0-6" diameter size class
More detailed results of that analysis can be found here: Tree Inventory Fact Sheet.
Public opinion was also crucial in the development of the UFMP. A large public survey regarding how Rochester’s urban forest is managed was conducted in 2020. The results of that survey were referenced throughout the development process to ensure the goals of the plan align with the desires of our community members.
Adopted by City Council, in November 2023, the Urban Forest Master Plan provides goals and recommendations that will help Rochester improve its urban forest’s health, biodiversity, sustainability, and recreational capacity.
A summary of the plan can be found here: Urban Forest Master Plan Summary Sheet
The plan can be viewed here: Rochester, MN Urban Forest Master Plan Nov 2023
