09-27-2018 Agenda and Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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8A Sept 27, 2018 Draft Ash Tree Plan for City Parks The general strategy guiding the decisions on each tree involved the staggered removal of most ash trees over 3 years, coupled with injections of those trees providing the most utility for park patrons. Trees facing staggered removal would be those that had poor growth form, were of smaller size, those with other health or structural concerns, and those with targets that would make them potentially hazardous in the future. Trees that were selected for injections had, in general, good growth form, expansive canopies that would provide lots of shade where people congregate, or those trees whose removal would create excessive detrimental visual impact to parks that are heavily trafficked. The ash trees that we remove will be matched with replanted trees. These new trees will be selected in a manner that increases the overall diversity of tree species in the urban forest. This increase in diversity will also increase the city's resiliency with respect to future tree pests and diseases. As we add species to our urban forest, we are limiting the destructive potential of any one pest or disease, such as Dutch elm, oak wilt, or EAB. Trees targeted for staggered removal: • Small size • Poor growth form • Damage and decay, root problems • Targets present (property damage hazards beneath them) • Thin canopy • Trees within diverse stands, many trees nearby • Presence of EAB Trees targeted for pesticide injections: • Large size • Good growth form m Utility (provides shade, absorption of storm water) • High visual presence • No/limited physical defects, damage, or decay • Trees isolated in landscapes Don Peterson Public Works Director