The Forestry and Beautification Department is responsible for maintaining a healthy tree canopy and for installing and maintaining gateways and landscape projects on public property.

2010 WARM SEASON ANNUALS

Assembly/Elmwood

                                                Begonia ‘Big Rose Bronze Leaf’

                                                Zinnia 'Zahara Mix'

Beltline/Farrow

                                                Marigold ‘Durango Mix’                                  

Bull                                                                                                     

                                                Cleome ‘Senorita Rosalita’                              

                                                Duranta ‘Cuban Gold’                                     

                                                Begonia ‘Big Rose Bronze Leaf’                      

                                                Tropical Red Hibiscus                                                              

City Hall                      

                                                Vinca ‘Titan Mix’                                                        

Crosshill  

                                                Marigold ‘Durango Mix’                                  

                                                Coleus ‘Pineapple’                                                      

East Gervais                                                                            

Marigold ‘Durango Mix’                                  

Farrow & 277                                                                         

                                                Alyssum ‘Snow Princess’                                 

Five Points                                                                              

                                                Salvia ‘Victoria Blue’                                       

                                                Purslane ‘Fairy Tales Yellow’              

                                                Purslane ‘Toucan Fuschia’                               

Fort Jackson                                                                           

                                                Marigold ‘Durango Mix’                                  

Gervais                                                                                    

                                                Coleus ‘Two Egg’                                           

                                                Zinnia ‘Zahara Mix’                                         

Gonzales                                                                                 

                                                Alyssum ‘Snow Princess’                                 

                                                ‘Purple Flash’ Ornamental Pepper                     

Lady Street

                                                Salvia ‘Vista Mix’                                                        

                                                Sweet Potato Vine ‘Marguerite’                                                           

Main Street      

                                                Vinca 'Titan Mix'                                                                

Midlands Tech Beltline                                                 

                                                Marigold ‘Durango Mix’                                  

Millwood Corridor                                                                  

   Butler                                    Caladium ‘Rosebud’                                                    

   Other                                     Coleus ‘Two Egg’                                           

                                                Salvia ‘Vista Mix’ 

N. Main Corridor                        Coleus ‘Mariposa’

                                                Begonia 'Big Rose Bronze Leaf'                                                                 

Pelham                                                                                    

                                                Begonia ‘Big Rose Bronze Leaf’                      

                                                Coleus ‘Mariposa’                                           

Public Works                                                                          

(Guard Shack)                          Alyssum ‘Snow Princess’                                 

(Front Door)                            Caladium ‘Rosebud’                                        

Rosewood                                                                               

                                                Cleome ‘Senorita Rosalita’                              

                                                Gerber Daisy    ‘Festival Mix’                          

                                                Coleus ‘Mariposa’

Rosewood Tech                      

                                                Impatiens ‘Fanfare Orchid’                                                      

SC277 & Harden                                                                    

                                                Zinnia ‘Zahara Mix’                                         

Senate @ Assembly                                                                

                                                Zinnia ‘Zahara Mix'

Senate & Barnwell                                                                   

                                                Alyssum ‘Snow Princess’                                 

Sunset                                                                                     

                                                Salvia ‘Vista Mix’                                            

                                                Coleus ‘Two Egg’                                           

Washington Garage                                                                 

                                                Caladium ‘Red Flash’                                                              

Whaley/Assembly                                                                    

                                                Impatiens ‘Fanfare Orchid’                              

                                                Coleus ‘Pineapple’                                          

2009 Columbia Choice Awards Winners!

Columbia is a Tree City USA!

Because of the efforts of the Department, the City of Columbia has been recognized as a Tree City USA every year since 1979. This award is given to municipalities that have an effective tree-care program as an ongoing process of renewal and improvement. Another requirement of the award is for cities to have a program of planting and care that goes on throughout the years. The prestigious award is given to approximately twenty municipalities in the state each year.

Treasured Trees Program- Click to see the 2009 Winners!

Trees

Reforestation

Right-of-Way Maintenance

Horticulture

Community Partnerships and Programs

Requests

Columbia Choice Awards 2009

    Most Responsible:  Design Works (designer)/Shurburtt (construction)

This project features over 200 street trees from Select Sustainable Trees, which have both an immediate and long-term impact on the environment.  A portion of the historic boundary wall has been retained, restored, and incorporated into the overall development plan.  The centerpiece of this project is CanalSide park and fountain, constructed from large granite blocks that were originally part of the prison cell block.  These reclaimed materials are introduced elsewhere across the development.  The landscape plan for CanalSide Lofts is intended to fit seemlessly into the overall neighborhood plan.  The plantings help to soften the urban context of the buildings and their integration into the neighborhood.  An array of native plant species were selected for enhanced performance, lower water requirements, and long-term sustainability.

When this company located to the Robert Mills Historic Distric from three other locations, the landscaping was designed with its employees in mind, to give them an oasis to come to away from their cubicles.  The staff uses the benches for breaks or lunch..  They read the planting diagrams and some have memorized the names of the plants.  It has clearly achieved its goal of being a special and useful place.  Moreover, the plan compliments the building in overall design, reflecting its lines in the height of the bamboo and the parasol plants.  The benches offer a welcoming invitation to visitors and a pleasant spot for employees to use whenever they want.  The plantings soften the exterior of the building and the diverse colors, leaves, and shapes work together as a unified whole.  That the area is designed as well to be sustainable, to require only minimal maintenance and limited watering once established, is an added bonus.

The SC State Fair recently completed a 4.3 million dollar parking lot renovation, greatly enhancing the grounds.  Included in the this project are 250 adult trees, paving and the installation of a storm drainage system which allows storm water runoff to filter into the soil on-site, rather than running off elsewhere.  This is the largest application of this innovative storm water drainage technology to date in South Carolina.  Those going to the State Fair, aw well as Gamecock tailgating fans, can look forward to shade trees, drier parking and socializing at Carolina Fair Park, making these events even more enjoyable. 

This company chose an outstanding landscape designer.  His use of groupings of palmettos surrounded by grasses and clusters of banana trees, underplanted with lantana, shows wonderful variety of texture and height, especially needed for this multi-story building.  At the end of the summer the lantana is cut back and forms a hedge.  It is almost unrecognizable as lantana, but is still covered in blooms!  Their second building on the property repeats the same color scheme and uses similar materials.  Even in back the trees in the parking lot are perfectly chosen and planted in abundance.  No expense has been spared.  It is like a park!  The property is always perfect, appropriate, and contributes to the neighborhood.

50% of the plants were propagated in house or grown from seeds.  The diversity of the plants and use of color make the most of a minimum budget, and just go to prove that great gardening can be done on any budget no matter how meager.  The entrances of the local elementary schools now welcome visitors, students, and faculty to campus and make an inviting statement.  Many of the plants attract birds and butterflies to the grounds.

The Belser Arboretum is now a valuable educational resource.  As of 2006 it was not due to a combination of neglect, overgrowth and invasion by non-indigenous plants.  By taking on the restoration of the Arboretum, including restoring the topography and replanting indigenous species, and creating an outdoor factility, Dr. DeCoursey has given a great gift to both USC and Columbia.  She spearheaded the extensive physical and mental effort to transform the Arboretum from an overgrown and impenetrable woodlot to a real resource for students and nature lovers.  The Arboretum itself and its outdoor facility is now used by a variety of classes from ecology, religious studies, geology, women's studies, biology, philosophy, to English departments, and is open to the public on visitation days.  This natural site is now fulfilling its educational mission thanks to Dr. DeCoursey.

Columbia Choice Awards Ceremony Pictures 11/11/09

CanalSide                            UCI Medical                             Carolina Fair Park

Continental American         Ricland School District 1      USC Belser Arboretum

Insurance Co.

Forestry

Reforestation

Where there is adequate space for future growth, large maturing shade trees such as oak, blackgum, ginkgo, maple and other species are planted. Where either root or overhead space is limited, smaller ornamental trees are planted. These may include redbud, flowering cherry, holly and other species.

A guide to tree selection, entitled City Trees is available by calling or e-mailing your request.

Right-of-Way Maintenance

The Forestry and Beautification Department cuts and maintains grass in medians and right-of-ways along major roadways throughout the city. The gateway entrances are kept cut and trimmed so that all who enter Columbia realize that we are proud of our City. Throughout the year, over 1,000 miles of right-of-way and more than 130 traffic islands are mowed and edged.

Each year Right-of -Way crews mow hundreds of miles of grass in the city.

Keeping sidewalks and other areas free from weeds and debris each year keep citizens free from trip hazards and keep the city looking neat and clean.

It is the responsibility of owners, occupants and lessees to keep private property free of litter and unsightly plant growth, including curbs, gutters, tree zones or other right-of-way adjacent to private property. Owners and occupants of property must keep weeds, grass and all vegetation cleanly cut and provide adequate sight distance at driveways and intersections.

Horticulture

Our newest project has been to install new roses on the Gervais Street corridor between the State Museum and Assembly Street.  The new roses are called 'Belinda's Dream'.  They were developed as a drought and disease tolerant type of rose by the University of Texas A & M.  These roses will grow to 4'-5' tall, and 3'-4' wide, and bloom beautiful pink blossoms all season long.  We hope you like the new addition to the Gervais Street corridor!

.            'Belinda's Dream' Rose

The members of the horticulture section landscape city properties and right-of-ways to make Columbia a more desirable place to live, work and play. Employees install new projects and perform the essential maintenance on existing plantings. Currently, efforts are focused on gateways, major roadways and high profile locations. A variety of plants including trees, shrubs, perennials and over 42,000 seasonal flowers are used to provide year round interest. These plantings aid in keeping Columbia 's economy thriving by projecting a positive image.

Horticulture Crews are busily planting cool season annuals on Main Street.

Weeds are a year round foe that crews battle on Rosewood Drive.

Community Partnerships and Programs

• Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission. A group of dedicated citizens appointed by City Council to develop ideas for projects, assist in their implementation and educate citizens through Arbor Day events, press conferences and educational brochures. Oversees Forever Forest , a foundation that accepts donations from individuals and corporations to support Columbia 's reforestation efforts. Partners with Columbia Green in sponsoring the annual Columbia Choice awards.
• Columbia Green. A non-profit organization that raises money exclusively for the beautification of Columbia . Substantial funding is provided to the Department each year for seasonal color. Columbia Green also aids in installation costs of major projects. Partners with the Tree and Appearance Commission to promote the Columbia Choice awards which recognizes individuals, neighborhoods and firms whose work has significantly enhanced Columbia 's environment, both in design and in overall quality of life.
• Arbor Day. The City of Columbia conducts a special tree planting ceremony to commemorate its annual Arbor Day celebration. The ceremony frequently takes place at an elementary school within City limits on the first Friday of December in conjunction with the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission, Columbia Green and other partners.
• Neighborhoods. The department will partner with neighborhood associations to facilitate beautification projects. Neighborhoods must provide materials, typically through donations or grants, and assume responsibility for long term maintenance. The Department will provide technical assistance, and limited assistance with installation.
• Forever Forest . The Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission established The Forever Forest Foundation to give individuals and businesses the opportunity to contribute to the beautification of Columbia , while honoring friends and loved ones. Tax-deductible contributions are acknowledged with a letter and certificate, and funds are used for planting trees and other beautification projects.
• Treasured Trees

Requests for Service

Requests for work relating to trees and shrubs in the road right-of-way should be directed to the Forestry & Beautification Department. A work order will be taken and given to the appropriate supervisor. The supervisor will check the site, and then direct a crew to handle the work if it is the city's responsibility or will inform the citizen if the request cannot be accommodated and why. The department is not responsible for maintaining trees and landscaping on private property.

If tree limbs are very close to or touching power lines, citizens will need to call SCE&G at 799-9000 to make the request. City crews cannot perform this work due to line clearance restrictions.

An encroachment permit is required for installation of landscaping and other permanent improvements on the right-of-way. These permits are issued through the Legal Department.

For more information about our services, please contact the Forestry and Beautification Department at 545-3860 or e-mail us at forestry@columbiasc.net.

    Treasured Trees Program- We are now accepting nominations for 2010!

Update:  2009 Winners:

The Treasured Trees program seeks to document and preserve trees that have significant value to the greater community, and promote the awareness, benefit, and value of trees to the community. 

Selection Criteria:  Trees of superior size or stature, those associated with historical events, trees noteworthy for their aesthetic or sentimental value, their scarcity, or even because they are great trees to climb or from which to swing can be nominated.  Groups of trees will also be considered for designation when their plurality contributes to their significance.  Nominated trees can be located on public or private property and can be nominated by anyone.  Trees should be located in the Greater Columbia/Lexington Metropolitan area, and preference will be given to trees in locations accessible for public viewing.  Nominations of trees located on private property require the signature of the property owner granting the Treasured Trees program access to the property in order to examine, measure, and photograph the nominated tree.

The owner/caretaker of each selected tree will receive a certificate or award at a public Arbor Day celebration, and each tree will be publicized through a weekly highlight series and feature article in the The State newspaper. 

Nominations are due October 26th, 2010 (subject to change).  Please provide your name and contact information along with a description, location, and photograph of the tree.  If available, include the significance or history related to the tree.  Nominations may be delivered or emailed to

Past winners: