City expands tree planting efforts this fall

Eagle Mountain City crews are continuing their large-scale tree planting initiative this fall, adding greenery to parks, park strips, and other public areas across the community.

The effort builds on a spring planting campaign that introduced thousands of trees throughout the city.

According to Eagle Mountain Forester Alec Boydston, fall planting is already underway in several neighborhoods.

“We’ve added more trees in Skyline Ridge, Kiowa, and Liberty Farms parks, expanding on what was planted earlier this year,” Boydston said. “We’ve also continued in Eagle, Walden, Pioneer, and Nolan parks, which will see a fuller tree canopy in the years ahead.”

In addition to parks, City crews are focusing on high-traffic areas where tree placement can improve both safety and water efficiency. Along Ranches Parkway, Porters Crossing, and Pony Express Parkway, crews are working to reduce visibility issues caused by overgrown vegetation.

“These are some of our busiest roads, and proper tree placement makes a difference for both drivers and pedestrians,” Boydston said. “We’re also taking out problem trees that have been wasting water and replacing them with species that are better suited to our landscape.”

Half Mile Road and Spring Run Park are also scheduled to receive new trees this fall, further extending the reach of the planting effort.

One of the more unique projects this season is the development of a new orchard along Eagle Mountain Boulevard, just west of the recently opened Dutch Bros. Coffee. The orchard will feature apple, cherry, peach, pear, plum, and apricot trees, with irrigation, mulching, and soil improvements to support healthy growth. This is the first of several orchards planned in Eagle Mountain.

“We’re excited to start this orchard,” Boydston said. “It’s a beautification project and it’s also a way to showcase fruit trees that thrive in our climate. With proper care, this orchard can be a resource for the community for years to come.”

The orchard project is scheduled to begin the Monday following Eagle Mountain’s 9/11 Day of Service cleanup event. That community event will bring volunteers together to work on landscaping and maintenance projects, after which City staff will transition to soil preparation and planting for the orchard.

This fall’s work continues Eagle Mountain’s broader urban forestry strategy, which has emphasized sustainability, shade, and water conservation. Earlier this year, the City highlighted its efforts ahead of Arbor Day, noting that more than 1,000 trees had been planted since 2023.

“Trees are an investment,” Boydston said. “They cool our neighborhoods, help with air quality, and make our parks and roadways more inviting. By choosing the right trees for the right locations, we’re creating long-term benefits for the whole community.”

Boydston said the City plans to continue tree planting each season, with projects timed to take advantage of the best growing conditions.