Blue Ash City Council has authorized continued funding for a residential tree program which provides assistance to property owners for planting of trees on residential properties in publicly visible locations. All questions should be directed to (513) 745-8500, then dial 0.

This program has been in place for at least the past eight or nine years, and residents have taken advantage of the program to plant hundreds of trees throughout our community. Note that the intention for the tree program is to allow the planting of up to two trees per residence.

• This program offers Blue Ash homeowners a discount coupon towards the cost of trees purchased for planting in your front or side yards. To receive this discount, you must first get a coupon from us and purchase your tree through a participating nursery. To order your coupon, call (513) 745-8500 (then dial 0), during normal office hours (weekdays between 8AM and 5PM). You will receive your discount at the time of purchase when you present the coupon to the nursery.
  
• The coupon allows each residence a discount of up to 50% off the cost of each tree, including planting, up to a maximum discount of $150 per tree. With this coupon, you would receive your discount from the nursery at the time of purchase.
  
• Please note that the intention for the tree program is to allow the planting of up to two trees per residence (regardless of the year purchased). Therefore, if you received a coupon in any year between 2001 and 2008, and have already planted two trees through this program in one or more of those years, you would normally not be eligible to receive another coupon. If you planted only one tree, or if you “ordered” a coupon but did not redeem the coupon, you would be eligible to participate in the 2009 program (with the former example allowing you to purchase only one tree in 2008, and the latter example allowing you to purchase up to two trees). However, please note that you may qualify to purchase more trees than normally would be allowed through the program if you have experienced loss of tree(s) due to recent natural occurrences affecting our region – including the extreme drought conditions in 2007,effects of the Emerald Ash Borer, and/or damage from the hurricane-like winds experienced in September 2008. Because of these extreme conditions, the City will consider “relaxing” that two-tree limit to replace lost trees. Remember too that ANY tree planted through this program must be visible to the public (see the first point above). If you would like to plant more than would normally be allowed, you will need to MAKE THAT REQUEST BEFOREHAND. If you qualify for additional trees, then your coupon will have to reflect that in order for you to get the appropriate discount at the nursery.
  
• Participating nurseries include Denny McKeown's Bloomin Garden Centre, 8793 Kenwood Road; Natorp's, 5373 Mertin Drive off Mason-Montgomery Road; Sharon Nursery, 7319 Columbia Road near King's Island; Stefani Landscaping, 5381 Wooster Road in Linwood; and Benken Nursery, 6000 Plainfield Road.
  
• The tree(s) must be planted by the nursery either in your front or side yard at the Blue Ash address shown on the coupon. The overall goal is for the tree to be seen by the public … not just your residence. Please note that trees planted in a location visible by the public only from the golf course, the Nature Park, etc. do not qualify for this program – the idea is for the tree(s) to be visible from a public street, sidewalk, etc.
  
• All you need to do is order and get your coupon, visit one of the nurseries listed, pick out an appropriate tree for its intended location, present your coupon upon payment, and work with the nursery to schedule its planting. 
  
• It is the resident’s choice as to what type of tree to get – but keep in mind that the tree must be planted (by the nursery) in the front or side yard or otherwise visible to the public. The nursery can help you choose an appropriate tree variety given the planting location. (Before planting, it is the resident's responsibility to have undergound utilities marked in the planting area -- call the Ohio Utility Protection Service 1-800-362-2764. There is no cost to you to use the services of OUPS).
  
• It is the resident’s responsibility to provide proper care for the tree, following your nursery’s guidelines. The trees will have a minimum one-year guarantee period; however, this guarantee applies only when the tree has been cared for properly. It is the resident’s responsibility to work with the nursery to learn how to properly care for the tree, and any problems must be resolved between the resident and nursery. 
  
• Homeowners Associations may also use these coupons, in addition to private residences. The maximum number of trees to be purchased through the program is up to two trees per unit or house. The nursery will not allow the coupon to be used for planting more than two trees per Blue Ash residence.