Protecting City Street Trees 🌳

posted August 6, 2025 - 6:39pm

Hello Madison,

Canadian wildfires have negatively impacted air quality in southern Wisconsin for several days now. The forecast shows the high pressure that has been trapping smoke in our area is waning, but we aren’t out of the woods yet.

Sensitive groups — including kids, older adults, and those with certain medical histories — are more at risk during poor air quality events. However, particle pollution is unhealthy for everyone and it’s important to take precautions.

If the Air Quality Index is 100 (orange) or above, the air is unhealthy to breathe.

Stay inside as much as possible, and take steps to keep your indoor air clean
- Keep windows closed
- Avoid frying food or burning candles
- Run air conditioning on recirculate if possible
- Use an air purifier if available
If you have to go outside, take precautions
- Wear a tight-fitting mask like an N95 or KN95
- Don’t engage in strenuous activity
- Change your clothes when you get home
Monitor your health
- If you have a respiratory condition, like asthma, watch out for difficulty breathing or intense coughing
- If you use an inhaler, keep it with you
- Know the warning signs of heart attack and stroke

Mayor's Message

Urban Forestry arborist measuring the diameter of a tree trunk on the terrace

Trees in Madison are invaluable community assets and a vital component of our infrastructure. Trees not only beautify our city but also keep us cool, absorb stormwater, and improve air quality. It takes decades for a big canopy tree to grow and I’m proud to support new protections to ensure the City’s streets are treated with the care and respect they deserve.

The Urban Forestry Division sought community feedback and guidance on best practices from the International Society of Arboriculture to strengthen our existing tree protection measure. The ordinance update includes:

Increasing the protection zone around streets during construction areas

Creating a new mechanism to ensure compliance with tree protection ordinances

Establishing a street tree replacement fund

The opportunity to provide input on these legislative changes has just begun. The ordinance update was introduced to the Common Council last night and will be open to public comment at several committees before it’s scheduled for a final vote in mid-September. Madison is fortunate to have so many residents committed to protecting trees and expanding our urban street canopy. It’s one of the top issues my office and Alders hear about from residents. The proposed ordinance changes are one way City leaders are doing more to further this community-wide goal.

— Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway