HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-STAC-2014-09-24STAC Meeting September 24, 2014
Present: Nina Bassuk, Laurene Gilbert, Jeanne Grace, Paul Paradine, Debra Statton, Keith
Vanderhye
Forester’s Report: the crew is grinding stumps; there are 4-5 more trees marked for take down.
(The sugar maple on Queen St died fast, insides all sprouting mushroom---verticillium?)
Old Elmira Rd project started last week. The sidewalk by Baker Park is not on both sides of the
road, the rest are on both sides.
All the trees have been cut down along both sides of the road. 4 tree islands were originally to
be saved but because engineers were trying to adjust drainage, there would have been such a grade
change where trees removed that a retaining wall down 16” would have been needed (16” down is water
level here so this didn’t work.) Existing trees on the north side of the road had all been topped to keep
them under the wires and were all leaf scorched, so these were removed too. Underwire trees are needed
for there. The south side of the road can be for tall trees. There’s a continuous tree lawn planned for the
south side of the road, with only one section too narrow for trees.
Originally the engineers said could plant trees by this fall, but the project isn’t ready, so Jeanne hasn’t
ordered them. She’s thinking of b/b for spring planting, could reserve them now since what’s available
now in the nurseries will be what’s available in spring. If the project is delayed past spring, she could heel
them in and hold them until time. A plan with species suggestions will be ready by October meeting.
DEC funded Jeanne’s grant request for $5,500 to replace badly trimmed street trees. (It’s a pain the
way grants get funded as after-the-fact reimbursement.) The reimbursement for Stewart Park trees is done
as well as for the Collegetown cages. Several of the cherries (in the cages) died ---fireblight?
Emerald Ash Borer: Consensus is that it’s here, although it’s hard to tell until the trees sprout at the
base. The bark finally gets worn off from woodpeckers. Jeanne wants to get more aggressive with the
City’s ash trees. All ash trees underwire should come out. Jeanne will look again at our cut-off s. There
are some prominent ones at Thompson Park. The ones at Stewart Park are awesome but slowly dying.
Jeanne would like to try to treat them but she’s unsure if treatment can save them. The dbh of ones there
equals that of all the trees already earmarked for treatment in the City. Consensus among committee
members is yes, treat them. The park without them would be sad.
Have to do treatments in spring. Keith says using only Triage damages the trees since holes are
drilled in the bark. Try basal bark spray----no injection. Rate of application recommended by chemical
company can be cut by 7/8’s and still be effective.
Jeanne needs wording for sign announcing tree removals due to EAB.
DEC has passed legislation protecting endangered bats by forbidding tree removals (hickory and
cottonwood) from April –Oct, since the bats live under the bark or feed on insects there during spring
and summer. Contractors for the Bridge to Nowhere (which will now connect Home Depot parking lot
with Buttermilk Falls) are asking Jeanne to help with tree removals in winter since federal grants won’t
cover removals Apr-Oct.
Project Review Criteria: Jeanne describes how in Austin any removals of trees greater than 24” are
reimbursed at $200/inch (double the regular cost), since they’re considered “heritage trees.” Here our
policy is $100/inch for all trees. (The homeowner pays this for the privilege of removing the tree and also
pays for the removal.)
Jeanne suggests adding a clause re $200/inch for heritage trees to the regular tree ordinance where the
$100 regular cost is talked about. Nina believes it should be in the City’s Project Review Criteria as well.
Jeanne can’t police all this herself as she can barely police what she’s responsible for now. Keith brings up the
wisdom of starting with permits being necessary then down the line could add cost.
Jeanne will talk to JoAnn and Lisa to make an appointment to start the process with the City of
amending the Criteria for Plant Materials and Maintenance, part of Project Review Criteria in the Site Plan
Review Process.
Fall Tree Planting—Around GIAC ball field (Court, Plain, Esty).
Jeanne ordered for Court Street where there are no wires so trees can be tall:
Liquidambar (sweet gum) b/b
Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera b/b
Chinkapin oak b/b (Jim at Schichtel’s recommends not digging these 3 in fall.)
Nina recommends Maclura Whiteshield; Jeanne says gets complaints these too low branching.
For Plain Street, where on the park side there are wires but not on other side, Jeanne ordered crab apples,
snow goose cherry, accolade cherries, Acer miyabei, Aesculus Fort McNair. Yellowwood is not
available until a year from now. Nina suggests Tilia mongolica.
For Esty, both sides need trees. Accolade cherry , Snow Goose cherry, Acer miyabei, Royal Raindrops
purple-leafed crabapple (resistant to fire blight).
Jeanne ordered these tall trees for other spots: Freeman maple ( bareroot) and Street Keeper
honeylocust. Altogether roughly 70 trees, 10 different species.
Nina’s students will plant 25 of these around GIAC field in late November.
Next meeting is Oct 15, Coop Extension.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Debra Statton