2026 Urban Forest Management Plan
Summary
The final work session on the updated urban forest plan covered public comment themes: a heritage tree program, stronger protections for mature trees during development, and making the long document more readable. Final revisions are due November 12 and the plan goes to the City Commission on December 8.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 11
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 24, 2026.
Impact analysis
The plan is funded as a CIP item in the FY26 Forestry Division budget with carryover into FY27.
Everyone who values Bozeman's tree canopy — residents, renters, and developers who'd get clearer tree-preservation rules.
Residents who value mature street and park trees, and the trees themselves, when healthy specimens are removed during construction.
Mentions & discussions (11)
Urban Parks and Forestry Board - Sep 24, 2026
The final work session on the updated urban forest plan covered public comment themes: a heritage tree program, stronger protections for mature trees during development, and making the long document more readable. Final revisions are due November 12 and the plan goes to the City Commission on December 8.
Inter-Neighborhood Council - Sep 10, 2026
The 10-year update to the urban forest plan is in its final week of public comment, due September 17. The Bozeman Tree Coalition likes the plan's direction but says it needs stronger language for protecting mature trees during development and should be trimmed from 120 to about 60 pages.
Final meeting on Bozeman's urban forest plan underway
Final meeting on Bozeman's urban forest plan underway NBC Montana
City Commission - Jul 28, 2026
Bozeman has about 28,000 public trees and roughly 10% canopy cover; the plan proposes a 12% goal in 20 years and cutting ash trees to 10% to prepare for emerald ash borer. Residents called the canopy goal too low and pushed for a heritage tree program and stronger tree retention.
Urban Parks and Forestry Board - Jul 23, 2026
The Tree Coalition and board members pressed for stronger code requirements — pointing out that Canyon Gate bulldozed 24 acres of cottonwoods and is replanting far fewer trees, and that developers sometimes clear-cut sites. The plan could recommend expanded permitting and replacement requirements.
City Commission - Jul 21, 2026
A resident flagged repeated destruction of healthy public ash trees by hotel developers and gas line contractors, prompting a staff explanation that three aspens removed near the climbing rock will be replaced with five better-suited trees.
Urban Parks and Forestry Board - Jun 25, 2026
Bozeman is updating its urban forest plan, and the numbers show a young, mostly healthy tree population with one big vulnerability: ash trees are 22% of public trees, and emerald ash borer would hit them hard. Consultants recommend growing canopy from about 10-12% to 12% over 20 years, planting roughly 871 trees a year.
Community Development Board - May 4, 2026
Bozeman is updating its Urban Forest Management Plan for the first time since 2016. The plan will set canopy goals, address tree equity across neighborhoods, guide street-tree planting requirements in new development, and assess forestry staffing and equipment. Public surveys and open houses are coming later in 2026.
Urban Parks and Forestry Board - Apr 23, 2026
Bozeman is replacing its 2016 Urban Forest Management Plan. The draft outline covers tree inventory and canopy goals, a heritage tree program, tree protection during development, Emerald Ash Borer preparedness, and community engagement. Future work sessions are set for June, July, and September.
Urban Parks and Forestry Board - Mar 26, 2026
Bozeman's tree-care blueprint is nearly a decade old, and the city is updating it to guide forestry work through 2036. The board adopted the plan for how the public will weigh in — with an extra September work session added at the board's request.
City Commission - Mar 3, 2026
A $20,000 federal grant would fund 40 trees at volunteer events and 50 $100 vouchers for residents to plant shade trees, targeting neighborhoods flagged as climate-disadvantaged.
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