Tree Care
Billy Iannopollo
City Forester
Email Us
(303) 384-8141
Tree Care
The Golden City Forestry Department plants and maintains trees located in city parks, public right-of-ways and other public spaces. While our city foresters care for public trees, they are also committed to protecting the health and diversity of all the trees in our community, including those planted and maintained by private property-owners.
If you aren’t sure if a tree is owned and maintained by the City, please
view our Public Tree Map
. This map provides an inventory of City managed trees in public right-of-ways, City parks, the Golden cemetery, and other city-owned properties. Trees located on private property, and in open spaces and natural areas are not included in the inventory.
Emerald Ash Borer Information
Emerald Ash Borer in Golden
EAB was found and confirmed in Golden in August 2025.
Now is the time to evaluate ash trees on your property and develop a plan for retention, or removal/replacement. Please see more in
City of Golden's EAB Management Plan
Recommendations for Residents
Residents are encouraged to take steps to assess and manage their own ash trees.
Identify ash trees.
Key features include compound leaves with 5–9 leaflets, opposite branching, and diamond-shaped bark on mature trees. Identification resources are available on the
Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) website
Connect with City Forestry Team.
If you believe you have an ash tree that may be impacted by EAB, request a property visit from the City Forestry Team (email
wiannopollo@cityofgolden.net
or call
303-384-8141
) for an unbiased assessment of treatment options.
Evaluate next steps.
Consider whether trees should be treated, removed, or replaced. For guidance,
contact CSU Extension
horticulture experts or a certified arborist.
Diversify plantings.
Replace ash trees in poor health with other species to strengthen Golden’s tree canopy. The
Colorado Department of Agriculture
provides a list of registered nurseries and contractors.
Recognize symptoms.
Watch for canopy thinning, D-shaped exit holes in bark, vertical bark splitting, or winding S-shaped tunnels beneath the bark.
Prevent spread.
Do not transport ash firewood or untreated ash wood products outside the area. Dispose of ash wood by chipping, composting, milling into lumber, or taking it to a landfill.
The City is reviewing other community best practices and programs in developing further recommendations, and will bring carefully vetted ideas to City Council to consider in the coming months.
For more information about ash tree identification, the symptoms of EAB, treatment options and how to use ash wood, visit the
CSFS website
EAB Background
Experts from Colorado State University Extension confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Golden. EAB was first detected in Colorado in 2013 in Boulder and has since spread to other communities. Despite Golden’s proactive management efforts, no city or community has been able to fully stop the spread of this highly invasive pest. The EAB was located in north Golden, near the intersection of Hogback Dr. and Hwy 93. While this is the first confirmed EAB in Golden, it is likely present in other locations in the city and it should be assumed that all ash trees in the city are at risk of becoming infested.
According to Golden’s tree inventory, there are approximately
430
ash trees on public property, with many more located on private properties and in natural areas. Ash trees are estimated to make up about
15%
of the City’s overall tree canopy. EAB attacks both stressed and healthy ash trees and typically kills them within two to four years of infestation.
The City of Golden has been preparing for EAB for several years, and staff will continue implementing management strategies to address its impact on the urban forest.
Additional Resources:
Emerald Ash Borer Information Network
Colorado State Forest Service EAB Info
Colorado State Forestry Service EAB Information video
Current map of confirmed EAB cases in Colorado
Emerald Ash Borer Subsidy Program
The City has identified funding to help address the impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation with the long-term goal of pursuing a fair and equitable distribution of healthy tree canopy cover throughout the city. City of Golden residents may apply for an approved re-imbursement from the City of Golden (up to $500) for treatment or removal/replacement of eligible ash trees to protect against EAB.
LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE
Residential Tree Care
Ask a City Forester!
If you have any questions about trees on private property, don't hesitate to contact our forestry team. We are happy to schedule a visit and provide residents with free advice on tree care.
Plant a Tree
Recommended Tree Species for Golden
:  Golden's hardiness zone is 5b. The soil is high alkaline, and generally clay loam structure. The trees listed in this document generally do well in Golden, but consider where you want to plant it, irrigation availability, sun exposure, and the size of the tree once it’s matured when making your selection. If you aren’t sure, contact us! We’d love to help.
Tree Planting Guide
:  Give your tree the best possible start! Proper tree planting is extremely important to the successful establishment of a new tree. This helpful guide from the Colorado State Forest Service provides helpful tips for planting trees.
Arbor Day Celebration
Celebrate
Arbor
Day
with Golden’s Forestry Team!
Join us in celebrating
Arbor
Day
with the City of Golden’s Forestry staff on
Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at the
Golden Cemetery (755 Ulysses Street)
This free, family-friendly event is the perfect opportunity for tree lovers of all ages to connect with nature and learn from Golden’s certified
arbor
ists. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting to explore the world of trees, you'll gain valuable insights into tree care, take a self-guided tour through our tree nursery and over 1,000 mature trees. Come grab a free hot dog for lunch and even take home a
free tree seedling
(while supplies last).
Golden’s Forestry department plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing our city’s urban forest, ensuring a healthy and sustainable tree canopy for generations to come. At this year's
Arbor
Day
celebration
, you’ll get a firsthand look at their work, including a
live tree planting demonstration at noon
. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the trees that make Golden such a beautiful place to live—join us, get your tree care questions answered, and be part of growing a greener future!
Annual Tree Sale
Golden residents, take advantage of our Annual Tree Sale which takes place each spring. The City of Golden offers for sale a limited number of different species of trees that are known to adapt and thrive well in our area.
ORDER TREES HERE STARTING MARCH 2ND!
Purchased trees can be picked up during the Annual Arbor Day event at the Golden Cemetery 755 Ulysses St, Golden, CO 80401 on Saturday April 25th between 11am - 1pm.
Trees available for 2026 will include 'Green Mountain' Sugar Maple, Sensation Boxelder, Chanticleer Pear, Chinkapin Oak, Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn, Catalpa, Ivory Silk Tree Lilac, Redbud, and 'Choice City' David Elm. All trees are $85 plus tax, are grown in 7 gallon containers, and have about a one inch trunk diameter. Sales will start in March, stay tuned for more details!
Tree Limb Recycling
Different options are available for disposing of downed tree limbs.
The City of Golden Residential Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) waste collection program allows homeowners within city limits to sign up for bi-weekly curbside organics collection. The program accepts grass clippings, weeds, leaves, branches and limbs that fit into the organics collection bin.
Semi-annually in the spring and the fall, the city sponsors Yard Waste Collection Days, which provides PAYT customers the opportunity to set out bundles of tree branches (max of 4 inch diameter) and other yard waste for pick up. Check the Community Calendar for dates.
Jeffco Slash Drop Off
at Tincup Ridge takes branches, woody debris, and logs up to 6 inches in diameter for a fee. Open from 9am - 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Private contractors often own their own chippers and may be willing to shred slash for a fee. This is a great option if you would like to keep the resulting mulch.
Free Mulch!
Protect and nourish your newly planted tree with free mulch made from recycled yard waste. The mulch is located at the west end of the Golden History Park near the intersection of 11th & Illinois. The site is open to Golden residents for self-loading during daylight hours. Please contact us if you are in need of larger amounts of mulch.
Hiring a Tree Contractor
While the City is unable to endorse specific tree care contractors, we do recommend that you:
Obtain multiple quotes to compare costs, most will provide free estimates.
Verify the licenses and credentials of the contractors.
Look up ratings and reviews to gauge their reputation.
The City of Denver maintains a
list of licensed tree service contractors
operating in the area.
Choosing a local company may also help you secure better rates by minimizing transportation costs and fees. Our goal is to support you in maintaining a healthy, vibrant tree landscape in our community.
Trees in the Right-of-Way
The City Forester oversees planting and maintenance of trees in many city right-of-ways, which are generally defined as areas between the sidewalk and curb where the adjacent property is residential, and not controlled by an HOA, or commercial property.
We encourage homeowners with adjacent city right-of-way planting strips to contact us for a street tree planting request. We can evaluate the site to ensure its suitability for a new tree as part of our annual planting program.
Our services include planting, pruning, and inspecting city trees. We also handle hazardous tree removals/replacements, integrated pest management (IPM), storm damage, inventory and watering/fertilizing.
Protecting our Urban Canopy
Trees, Vegetation, and Wildfire Risks
Our goal is to support the Golden community in identifying and mitigating potential fire risks associated with vegetation, and emphasizing the importance of home hardening. Building resistance for your home and property is most important within the first 10 feet of a home or structure.
Home hardening does not mean clear-cutting trees and landscape plants from your property, rather keeping up on regular tree pruning, and selecting appropriate planting sites and species.
How you can help:
Golden's CWPP (Community Wildfire Protection Plan) emphasizes the critical role homeowners play in safeguarding their properties against wildfires. By taking proactive measures you can significantly reduce the likelihood of wildfires affecting your home. This includes:
Home Features:  Implementing fire-resistant materials and designs in the home's construction and layout. Cleaning gutters regularly from leaves and other debris.
Landscaping Design:  Planning your garden and outdoor spaces with fire safety in mind, using
fire-resistant plants and materials
Outdoor Storage Practices:  Storing flammable materials safely and away from your home.
Tree & Vegetation Maintenance:  Regularly maintaining and clearing tree canopies and other vegetation on your property to minimize fire risks. Prune back tree canopies by creating an 8-10 ft clearance zone between structures, ground, and other vegetation.
Junipers are not recommended anywhere within 30 ft of your home, consider replacing with an alternate species.
By taking these measures, you can significantly lower the risk of a wildfire damaging your property. Together, we can create a safer community.
Please visit GFD's website for info on how to request a FREE Detailed Home Assessment, where you can schedule a time to meet at your property with an Arborist and staff member from GFD.
Follow this link for the full report and further info
Golden Community Wildfire Protection Plan
RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE!
Where can I recycle my Christmas tree?
The City of Golden has an easy way for you to get rid of your tree: help give it a second life by turning it into mulch.
Tree drop will is usually open from December 26 - January 26, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and available to Golden residents only. The 2025 drop off location was at
The Golden Splash, 3151 Illinois St, Golden CO 80401.
The location for 2026 will be decided
Trees must be
stripped of all ornaments, hardware, strings of lights, and tinsel
. Only
live Christmas trees
will be accepted. Wreaths, tree branches, trash bags, or other wood material will NOT be accepted.
For further details, contact the City of Golden Forestry office at
(303) 384-8141