HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-STAC-2017-06-14City of Ithaca Shade Tree Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
June 14, 2017
Present: Nina Bassuk, Jeanne Grace, Laurene Gilbert, Beverly Hillman, Pamela Markham, Debra
Statton, Keith Vanderhye, Kevin Vorstadt
Forester’s Report
At City meeting for restructuring committees, no one was in favor of restructuring. Since we and other
committees are in the charter, the City would have to change code to disband our committee.
Spring tree order is all planted, all trees b&b.
Kevin is working on the parking lot by Staples. Of the topped trees, 21 are dead, 2 almost dead, 47 are
okay (32 are 70-80% okay, 10 60% okay, 1 50% okay, 4 40% okay, 1 30% okay). Jeanne and Kevin will
summarize these findings and meet with JoAnn to suggest replacement. It’s JoAnn’s job to enforce
compliance. In winter, Jeanne will prune the topped trees that are doing okay Nina notes that trees
outside Pet Smart are dying due to dog pee.
Nina mentions “pocket sights,” a free phone ap that tells you about walking tours near you, wherever
you happen to be. This might be great for City neighborhood tours. Jeanne will talk to her husband
about how to add tours to the ap.
Beverly reported on the Garden Club’s meeting with the Mayor last week. They talked about the
Garden Club wanting to plant the 15 crabapples along the Inlet. The upshot of the meeting is that the
Mayor heard about the Garden Club’s work and is on board with the trees.
Jeanne notes that this is a staff decision that doesn’t need approval, but that the Board of Public
Works smight need to okay a donation of benches.
Nina is hoping to move on chlorosis in trees. Jeanne is trying to figure out how to apply the chelated
iron, maybe through tree gators. Nina has mixed it with water and poured on tree, works in two weeks.
Can’t overdo it---it’s iron---but expensive. She can meter how long it lasts.
Chlorosis is mostly in oaks, some in red maples (manganese is associated with chlorosis in
maples), also in yellow woods.
Pamela reported on a very successful tree planting by 4H kids on Arbor Day. They planted 3 new
crabapples where there were ginkgos. New ones are beautiful , everone noticed.
Next meeting Wednesday July 12, 2017 Cooperative Extension 4pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Debra Statton
Definition of invasive species: causing economic, social, environmental harm.