Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department
The Forestry division is responsible for the planting, trimming and removal of all trees on public property, including boulevards.  Forestry Division employees care for our community's natural resources in an effort to make the City of Aberdeen an urban environment that is pleasing and livable.  The trees in Aberdeen provide our citizens with cleaner air, reduced environmental stress and are appealing to visitors to our city.  The continued forestry efforts have earned Aberdeen the Tree City USA designation for 29 years

Forestry Technical Services
The City Forester performs inspections of privately owned trees to determine insect, disease or physical problems. Property owners can call the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Office to schedule an inspection.

Wood Chips
Wood chips are available from the Forestry Division at Lee Park Maintenance Facility, 516 NW 8th Ave. Please call the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Office for the schedule of loading times.

Aberdeen Community Gardens
The Aberdeen community gardening plots were established in the early 1970's when four plots were made available to vegetable gardeners who were without a suitable garden site at their home or apartment.  For the 2008 gardening season, we will prepare 164 sites for spring planting.  All garden plots are 1200 square feet.  The price per plot is $12.
      Location: Moccasin Creek East with 104 plots Moccasin Creek West with 51 plots Taft Street with 9 plots
For further information, please call the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Office at 605-626-7015.

Forestry Facts
Trees on public right of way (boulevards) are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Division of Forestry. If a homeowner desire to plant, prune, spray or remove a boulevard tree, a permit must be obtained.  If a homeowner's boulevard tree needs to be pruned or inspected, please call the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Office at 605-626-7015, or email your request to forestry@aberdeen.sd.us.  Trees with broken limbs that appear to be an immediate hazard will be inspected the day of the call and removed if a hazard exists.
The Publics Works Department will pick up properly bundled branches from privately owned trees.  It is the homeowner's responsibility to haul all yard waste and tree limbs to the appropriate County lawn waste sites or the Brown County Landfill.
The pruning of boulevard trees will be prioritized on an as-needed basis.  If your boulevard tree has dead limbs that may be hazardous to pedestrian or vehicle traffic, it will receive attention from the Forestry Division personnel or a contracted tree service.  If your boulevard tree is in need of pruning to improve the appearance of the tree or limb height needs to be adjusted, Forestry personnel or a contracted tree service will schedule the work during the dormant period.  For further information concerning your boulevard trees, please contact the City Forester at 605-626-7015 or forestry@aberdeen.sd.us to schedule an onsite inspection.

Tree Donation Program - Aberdeen Tree Gift Fund
The Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has established a gift fund to accept monies donated for tree plantings in park and recreation areas.  Planting a tree in memory or to honor a family member, friend or special person is a lasting tribute to the individual and a living asset to out community.

Tree Pricing and Plaques
A tree will be planted in a specific area or park if a planting space is available, or a planting site can be recommended by Parks, Recreation and Forestry personnel.  A minimum donation of $150 for a bare root tree and $250 for a containerized tree is required to purchase, plant and provide a plaque with donor's name and memorial message. 

Acceptable Tall Trees for boulevard landscape view

Boulevard Tree Planting Permit

Planting a tree as a living memorial is a gift to Aberdeen that will provide environmental benefits season after season.  If you are interested in an additional information, please call 605-626-7015 or e-mail us.