Parks & Recreation > Poulsbo Tree Board & Urban Forestry Program

The Poulsbo Tree Board was established in 1997 to advise and educate the Mayor, City Council and citizens on issues pertaining to trees in the city. This includes the promoting of responsible planting of trees on public and private property; promoting public education and proper tree maintenance of trees; advocating trees within the city; providing for aesthetics within the city through the formulation and implementation of tree programs; developing innovative and joint funding for tree projects from a variety of sources; and providing the Mayor and the City Council with a yearly report regarding Tree Board activities.

Upcoming Tree Board Classes

To register for these free classes beginning August 26, please click here for Online Registration.

THE POULSBO TREE BOARD                     

The Poulsbo Tree Board was established in 1997 to advise and educate the Mayor, City Council and citizens on issues pertaining to trees in the city. This includes the promoting of responsible planting of trees on public and private property; promoting public education and proper maintenance of trees; advocating trees within the city; providing for aesthetics within the city through the formulation and implementation of tree programs; developing innovative and joint funding for tree projects from a variety of sources; and providing the Mayor and the City Council with a yearly report regarding Tree Board activities. The 7-member board is a mixture of ISA Arborists, professional educators and scientists, vegetation experts, Master Gardeners, and citizens.

The Poulsbo Tree Board is pleased to offer a series of classes about trees and tree care. Attend one or all of these classes. They are sure to be educational and fun! Please pre-register for planning and communication purposes.

DESIGNING WITH TREES IN THE LANDSCAPE       

Gayle Larson, Poulsbo Tree Board member, Garden Designer, Master Gardener. It is often helpful to have a design plan in hand (or at least a few ideas) before buying trees for your garden. Design considerations include mass, form, line, texture, and color, but gardeners also need to consider tree attributes such as height, width, soil and water needs, light needs, and other cultural needs. Recreation Center Classroom.                                               

Tue         Nov 19                  7-8:30p                  $8

TREE BIOLOGY: HOW DO TREES WORK? 

Jenise Bauman, Poulsbo Tree Board member, Restoration Ecologist and Professor at WWU Huxley College of the Environment on the Peninsulas; Terri Jones, Poulsbo Tree Board member, Professional Forester (retired). Understanding how a tree functions helps you make decisions regarding tree care and management. Learn how trees grow above and below ground, how they make and utilize food, and how they move and use water and nutrients. This is a great foundation for the other classes in this series. Recreation Center Classroom.

Wed        Feb 26                  7-8:30p                  $8

WALK AND TALK: GREAT TREES FOR WINTER INTEREST 

Kevin McFarland, Poulsbo City Arborist; Poulsbo Tree Board members. Join us as we enjoy a pleasant afternoon walk through the city’s neighborhoods and parks to find trees that stand out during winter. Tree identification characteristics, exceptional attributes and special management needs will be discussed as well. Discover new trees to grow in your own garden or landscape!  Site to be announced.

Sun         Mar 1                     1-2:30p                  FREE (please pre-register for planning purposes)

THE ABC’S OF PRUNING ORNAMENTAL TREES

Bess Bronstein, Poulsbo Tree Board member, Horticultural Consultant, ISA Certified Arborist. Understanding tree structure, growth and response is as important for successful pruning as knowing how to make proper pruning cuts. Learn the basics of tree growth and structure, types of pruning cuts, and what responses to expect from your cuts. Recreation Center Classroom.                              

Tue         Mar 3                    7-8:30p                  $8

PRUNING ORNAMENTAL TREES: FIELD DEMONSTRATION 

Join Poulsbo City Arborist Kevin McFarland and Poulsbo Tree Board members and ISA Certified Arborists as they demonstrate the proper pruning techniques used for pruning ornamental trees. Tools and sharpening will also be covered. Site to be determined.           

Sun         Mar 8                    1-3p                       FREE (please pre-register for planning purposes)

FRUIT TREE PRUNING 

Kevin McFarland, Poulsbo City Arborist; and Bess Bronstein, Poulsbo Tree Board member, Horticultural Consultant, ISA Certified Arborist. Knowing how and when to prune for fruit is much different than pruning an ornamental tree. Learn about the different approaches for different fruit types, including training and timing. Learn tips on how to increase fruit production, improve branch structure, and renovate older, non-productive trees. If you have a home orchard, this class is for you! Recreation Center Classroom.                              

Tue         Mar 10                   7-8:30p                  $8

FRUIT TREE PRUNING: FIELD DEMONSTRATION

Kevin McFarland, Poulsbo City Arborist and Poulsbo Tree Board members. Join ISA Certified Arborists as they demonstrate the proper pruning techniques used for pruning a variety of fruit trees. Tools and sharpening will also be covered. Site for field demonstration will be announced prior to class.                                                                                                                                                                 

Sun         Mar 15                  1-3p                       FREE (please re-register for planning purposes)

TREE SELECTION AND PLANTING                                                                                                                                                         Jenise Bauman, Poulsbo Tree Board member, Restoration Ecologist and Professor at WWU Huxley College of the Environment on the Peninsulas; Janet Brown, Poulsbo Tree Board member, PSE Utility Arborist, ISA Certified Arborist The most successful tree planting occurs when the right tree is selected for the site, and then planted correctly. Learn about great ornamental trees that do well in the Pacific Northwest, and what attributes you should look for when selecting your tree. Once you have decided on a tree, then you need to plant it correctly so it will thrive. This class will teach you the steps needed to plant and take care of your new tree so that it will live a healthy full life. Recreation Center Classroom.                                                                                                                                                  

Tue         Mar 17                  7-8:30p                  $8

Current Board Members

• Jenise Bauman, Chairperson
• Bess Bronstein
• Janet Brown
• Joan Hett
• Terri Jones
• Gayle Larson
• Jim Leary

Boards and Commissions application packet

• Celebration Tree Program
• Significant Trees of Poulsbo
• Nomination Form: Significant Trees of Poulsbo
• 2018 Tree Board Annual Report
• Poulsbo’s Public Tree Ordinance 2009-09
• Poulsbo Tree Planting Guide
• Volunteer Application Form

November 4, 2019 Agenda and Packet

Future Meetings: January 13, March 9, May 11, July 13, September 14, November 9, 2020

Meeting Minutes (PDFs)