Sioux Falls is about to get a lot greener.
The city's Forestry Team has announced plans to plant about 1,600 street trees this fall in an effort to expand Sioux Falls' urban forest in response to continued emerald ash borer impacts.
Emerald Ash Borer continues to affect ash trees throughout the city. On private property, ash tree mortality has continued to double from the previous year, a trend observed since 2023.
READ MORE: South Dakota Rolls Out Redesigned Driver's Licenses
Fall planting through the CommuniTree Program is scheduled to begin in mid-September, with trees expected to be planted in residential parking strips throughout the community. The planting will follow about 1,200 trees planted during the spring 2026 season. Combined, the two planting seasons are expected to add about 2,800 street trees to Sioux Falls’ urban forest this year.
Properties were selected to participate in the city’s CommuniTree Assistance Program based on areas of low tree canopy throughout Sioux Falls.
The program is funded through an Urban and Community Forestry Grant administered by the U.S. Forest Service. The program covers the cost of the tree, installation and one full growing season of care and maintenance to help the tree become established.
Residents also can plant trees in the public right of way through the city’s street tree planting permit.
Residents must obtain a planting permit before installing a tree in the right of way, the area between the sidewalk and street. The permit process helps ensure the proposed location is appropriate and that the tree and its placement are suitable for the site.
After a site is approved, residents can receive a $100 planting voucher for each approved tree site while vouchers are available.
LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades
Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF
KEEP READING: Get answers to 51 of the most frequently asked weather questions...
LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state
Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi
