Save up to $100/year on a Tree with our Plant A Tree program
The Plant A Tree program provides a 40% discount for eligible trees purchased from participating retailers, up to a maximum discount of $100 per family per year. This program is easy to use, because you don't need an application or a rebate form. Ask the retailer to give you the CFU Plant A Tree discount. Discounts cannot be given after the fact to trees purchased in the past; discounts are available at the point of purchase only.
Additional Information
Trees must be planted on property served by the Cedar Falls Municipal Electric Utility. Only the species and cultivars of trees listed here are eligible for funding (no exceptions).
Funding is as follows: 60% Consumer (+tax) paid to the retailer at the time the tree is purchased. CFU reimburses the retailer for 40% of the retail price of the tree. The subsidy applies to the tree cost only, excluding planting cost, and is limited to $100 per recipient family per calendar year.
To qualify for reimbursement, the planting site, soil and moisture conditions must be suitable for the species of the tree selected.
Prior to planting, call Iowa One-Call at 811 to have underground services marked.
Street tree plantings (between the sidewalk and the street) require permission from the City Arborist. Please see the rules for street tree plantings below for further information.
If you have questions that are not answered on this page, please call CFU at 319-266-1761 and ask for Energy Services, or email energyservices@cfu.net.
Cedar Falls Park Division Street Tree Planting Policy
Homeowners, business and contractors are required to contact Cedar Falls Park Division for permission to plant in the right-of-way (in other words, the easement area between the street and the sidewalk).
The Park Division will review individual requests to determine if the tree height, width and species are allowed by ordinance. Consideration must also be given to the existence of overhead electrical, phone or communication lines. If overhead lines exist, particular care must be taken to ensure that future growth will not interfere with overhead lines. The Park Division enforces these regulations for Cedar Falls Utilities.
The Park Division instructs the homeowner, business or contractor to contact Iowa One Call at 811 to have underground services marked before you dig.
Any excavation for tree planting in roadway Right-of-Way must be done by hand, where Cedar Falls Utilities underground gas, water, electric or communication lines exist. A minimum horizontal separation of 36" between any gas, electric or communication line and the tree centerline must be maintained. Specific questions related to this separation requirement should be directed to the Cedar Falls Utilities.
Trees planted near underground or overhead lines are subject to pruning or removal should repairs to the utility systems be required. Therefore, neither the Cedar Falls Utilities nor the City of Cedar Falls may be held responsible for any damage that may occur to the trees due to the necessity of utility system repairs.
Questions regarding plantings in the right-of-this policy may be directed to the Cedar Falls Park Division at 273-8624.