City Forester/City Street Trees

 
Franklin DPW Light Equipment Operators Tom Riha (in bucket truck) and
Craig Woltz perform fall pruning operations on City street trees.

Did you know that the City of Franklin DPW takes care of all trees in the City right-of-way? Tom Riha, Light Equipment Operator with the Franklin Department of Public Works, was designated by the Common Council as the City Forester.  Tom is a 2005 graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he earned a double major in Urban Forestry and Forest Management. Tom also holds the credential of being a Certified Arborist and has worked for the Franklin DPW since 2010.

In addition to his other duties as a Light Equipment Operator, Tom is a tremendous asset to the City in assessing, pruning, removing, and managing trees. He assisted in the expansion and implementation of the City’s tree inventory to ensure it is up to date and accurate, utilizing the City’s GIS system. Tom has been instrumental in many other items that have qualified the City to be designated as a “Tree City USA” for 19 years straight as of 2020.

Tom has also been heavily involved in the City’s efforts to combat the Emerald Ash Borer that has destroyed 30% of the City trees in Franklin.  To combat future tree diseases from devastating the City like the Emerald Ash Borer and the Dutch Elm Disease, the City has established a goal of having one species comprise no more than 10% of the total tree inventory.

Through a WI-DNR Urban Forest Grant, the City of Franklin Tree Inventory has been updated and is published on the Wisconsin Community Tree Map.  Tree information that is available to be viewed on this tree map is species, size, condition, location, and year planted.  This information is helpful to guide decision-making on how to best manage the 10,000 City street trees.  One of the best features of the Community Tree Map is the "benefits calculator".  This calculator tells the appraised value of each tree, ecological benefits such as storm water mitigation and carbon reduction, and overall benefit to the community.  The tree map information will be updated regularly after each City planting.

One large problem that the tree map highlights is the over representation of Maple trees along City of Franklin roadways.  This problem can also be seen in the private landscape.  Currently, the City tree population contains 34% Maple trees.  This puts the urban forest at risk if a species-specific insect or disease attacks.  The Emerald Ash Borer was an example of this happening, destroying 30% of the City street trees.  Industry recommendations are that no genus, i.e., Maple, comprise more than 20% with no species, i.e., Norway, Red, or Silver, comprising more than 10%.  Below is the "recommended street tree list" suitable for planting along roadways. 

Table of Recommended Franklin Street Trees  (The City currently does NOT plant Maple trees because they are overpopulated.)