Doug Gregory, president of the City of Seymour’s Tree Board, went before Seymour Common Council last Monday with their review of the tree ordinance and list of approved trees to be planted in the city.

The city became a Tree City USA in 2022 and had to meet several requirements and local ordinances. Seymour has ordinances that govern trees in city parks, right-of-way and any publicly owned properties.

The current ordinance was passed by council in 2012 and states the tree board will present to the city council a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and other public areas. This plan must be presented to city council for their acceptance.

A list of approved trees and non-approved trees, also considered invasive to Indiana and on the “do not plant list,” were reviewed and written in the 2024 tree plan presented to council.

“This is the first time that I know of that the tree board is presenting anything in front of council,” Gregory said.

Some of the ordinances that were amended regarding tree regulations included changing the tree height over city streets from eight feet to 13 feet for large vehicle clearance. They also changed an odd landscape ordinance that allowed the minimum of a 24-foot bush to be planted to a 12 to 24 inch bush.

Information on Indiana’s invasive species can be found on the city’s website at seymourcity.com.