Urban Forestry

Trees play many important roles in a community. They provide shade, produce oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide, prevent erosion, provide homes for local wildlife, and enhance a community's aesthetic appeal.

When judging a community on urban forestry, Communities in Bloom looks at the policies and procedures in place concerning how trees are chosen, planted, cared for, and removed. They also look for programs concerning trees of particular importance, such as heritage or memorial trees.

Millet's many trees include both wild trees, such as those near Pipestone Creek, and deliberately planned and planted trees, such as in the Seniors' Tree Bed. Millet's tree maintenance plan is a joint initiative between the Town of Millet and the Millet in Bloom Committee. Millet in Bloom has also established a tree inventory that helps the town keep track of the tree species which have been planted around town and their locations.

The tree maintenance plan and tree index were invaluable in clean-up and replanting efforts following the felling of several trees during the July 16, 2020 storm. In order to reduce waste and make sure fallen trees were repurposed rather than being solely removed, all of the tree fragments taken to the Millet Agriplex following the storm were turned into mulch that was offered to Millet residents for free. This ingenious initiative is just one of the ways trees are used to benefit the town throughout their life cycles.