Photo Credit: City of Cedarburg
By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744
and
Kevin Westphal, City of Cedarburg City Forester
kwestphal@cityofcedarburg.wi.gov or 262-375-7662
Annual program reports can be a very useful tool. One example is Cedarburg’s 2025 urban forestry report. It is detailed, yet not overwhelming, and the format provides for easy comprehension at a quick glance. The annual report includes things like: a mission statement, the number and location of vacant plantable sites, removal/planting/pruning numbers, specific cultivars planted, types and reasons for pruning and a comparison to previous years.
The report is shared with Cedarburg’s Parks & Forestry Board, City Council, and other leadership and can also be found on their website. Cedarburg’s city forester attends these local meetings, goes over the main points in the report and answers any questions they may have. Additionally, some of the information is useful when filling out their Tree City USA application.
There have been a few instances where this information has come in especially handy. When leadership questioned low pruning numbers compared to previous years, the data aligns with years of heavy snowfall. Since forestry and DPW crews work on pruning in the winter months, years with high snowfall totals are a logical explanation for less pruning due to snow removal duties. There have also been incidents of citizens questioning the diversity of new plantings. Cedarburg’s annual report is proof the city is indeed planting a diversity of species.
This information would not be available without a complete, and up-to-date inventory. Cedarburg’s forestry staff conduct live updates in the field whenever any work is done to their trees. They use ESRI’s ArcPro GIS software in the office and ESRI’s FieldMaps app on iPads when in the field. All data is stored in the cloud, and all updates to the inventory are in real time. Cedarburg also has a public-facing GIS Hub where citizens, contractors and utility companies can view up to date information. If you are interested in inventory resources for your community, contact your DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator.