[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6578917,"mediaKeyId","3123973-c3c4135b09c7d9d36a617c99aacd85dd","parentId",3123973,"title","Local arborist raises concern about species mix at Russell Sports playground, cites ash and maple plantings","audioSeconds",158,"startMs",57000,"endMs",215000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123973-c3c4135b09c7d9d36a617c99aacd85dd&start=57&end=215","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123973-c3c4135b09c7d9d36a617c99aacd85dd/thumbnail_57000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578917/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Local-arborist-raises-concern-about-species-mix-at-Russell-Sports-playground-cites-ash-and-maple-plantings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578917-953b7d9a803a796e8c9b9b158e99273b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188418&Signature=RrsOKh0mtEuqP8xOpgycjtEx5wC6SKZrhM2seRN9aldfCfOLts1AOZxoBncFWm50j~UT1vMc5aWOYiWVKmZpxfBqTzBTezXMy7eGM6tdHvJ1FfOw2pYFF8ExpyQZEPU3dMOuxzZyGK8-uhgDBH33lBSbKEPKyiU1-wsqAac4BAml2o1PKDcI-w7ytt-SpSQF0M-ffsem00tfhicqC1VBnR0I1frd0uUUJZrwWJxpbYp2YJGzIrNFNh3VuAPc4NzJC46-akgvwVgHu78PL~RPWFHmnTKJyJvrw5iwC8-F2TP3B7cYvY70gAG6v1uNSHHkELvD1SNQQrrMZbuNOiaDVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sandpoint","date","2025-04-25T15:41:03.39Z","article","John Gaddis, a Sandpoint resident and certified arborist, addressed the Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission at the start of its April 24 meeting to report on tree species and planting technique at the new Russell Sports playground and parking area.

Gaddis said he conducted an inventory of newly planted trees around the site and shared counts: of 69 recently planted trees, 16 were maples (about 23 percent) and four were Fraxinus (ash). He told the commission he was concerned both about the high proportion of maples and about planting ash given regional establishment of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on the Oregon side of the Canal divide.

\"Of 69 trees newly planted around the parking lot and around the center I've tallied 16 were Maples and Acer... and then an additional 4 were Fraxinus, which is ash trees... I think that's very unwise to be planting that species right now knowing that we have the Emerald Ash Borer established on this side of the Canal Divide in Oregon,\" Gaddis said.

Gaddis also noted the city’s urban forestry management plan (2022) states the city should not enact a moratorium on planting maple species in public sectors (he cited page 58). He said he did not seek to assign blame for the plantings; rather, he asked the commission—newly formed in its current composition—to note the issue, help ensure proper planting, and prevent similar outcomes in future public projects.

Staff and commissioners acknowledged the comment, thanked Gaddis for performing the inventory and said they would consider the planting details and proper planting technique as reconstruction work continues.

Ending
Commission members and staff said they appreciated the inventory and emphasized the commission’s role in oversight of species selection and planting practices for city projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sandpoint | Urban Forestry Commission Meeting | 04/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","John Gaddis, a Sandpoint resident and certified arborist, told the commission he inventoried 69 recently planted trees at the Russell Sports complex and found a high proportion of maples and several ashes; he urged the commission to note the issue and to ensure proper planting technique going forward.","taxTitle","Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",52019,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578922,"Sandpoint commission discusses heritage‑tree categories and update to arboriculture manual",884,2471000,3355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123973-c3c4135b09c7d9d36a617c99aacd85dd&start=2471&end=3355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123973-c3c4135b09c7d9d36a617c99aacd85dd/thumbnail_2471000.jpg","/articles/6578922/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-commission-discusses-heritagetree-categories-and-update-to-arboriculture-manual","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578922-ff39e300a57436a16aee8c36b637a995/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188418&Signature=iECOxBI0lxMHzN0iSf~FJl1RApzbk55Uv9t~iMt19Qll3~H2yAmn0BnpbPobDJZzJsVMNcVknNKiCHzvNbQuSQrL190WQRDqrzOVqLR967TaHgmKCgKfWW0SfUVkZuXzfBojGDjUOCX5VqV3sjorV8bs6YZBdJZQ3rQPwrgLa37a64HUejt5r9Z-wSCi7SkTo7A3NcLlvSb7bOugvQ2TFwdKmwibLfvXxwkk-2KSN40UEi-NHNL~cn6i9XSoxwvqhDAv0wSIYy5QT2GVzHqgs8GE8qtueTW06VjNrfO87V9eNp8bRbglwrSL2ctwAz-rCGTvUQieQWKgJvbukkFD-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission spent significant time April 24 refining how the city should define and recognize “heritage” and other notable trees and whether that language should be incorporated into the city’s arboriculture manual or the municipal code.

Why it matters: A clarified designation and a process for listing heritage, specimen or grove trees would shape recognition, public outreach and potential procedural steps for any future alterations to trees on public or private property. Commissioners said clearer definitions would also help update a pamphlet of outstanding trees and guide outreach to property owners and the public.

Summary of discussion
Commissioners proposed a top‑level definition (a “heritage” or “distinguished” tree category) with subcategories beneath it. The subcategories discussed included specimen/champion trees, historical or cultural significance, significant groves or collections, rare/species‑based listings and size/age as a distinct consideration. Commissioners emphasized that size and age can be independent qualifiers and that smaller species with historical value should not be excluded by a strict size threshold.

Code and process
City Council liaison Kyle Schreiber told the commission that Sandpoint already has a city code section on the subject: Chapter 7‑15‑13, which references protection of public and private historic and heritage trees and ties designation to criteria in the city’s arboriculture manual. Schreiber noted that the commission could recommend changes and that council would consider any code amendments.

Staff and commissioners proposed the following process steps:
- Draft clear heritage and subcategory definitions in the arboriculture manual and the commission’s recommended guidelines.
- Cross‑reference and, if necessary, revise any citations in city code that point to outdated manual language.
- Build a nomination/application process (examples cited included Tumwater’s code approach) so that landowner consent and a record‑keeping process accompany any designation.

Next steps and public outreach
Commissioners suggested updating the city’s “outstanding trees” pamphlet to reflect any new definitions and reaching out to private property owners before listing private trees. Staff said the manual update and code cross‑check would be an ongoing agenda item and that the commission would assemble draft language for future review and possible referral to city council.

Ending
Commissioners asked staff to circulate proposed categories and examples and to prepare draft language and references to technical standards (ANSI A300 and ISA best practices) for further review at subsequent meetings.","Commissioners debated categories (specimen/champion, historical/cultural, grove, rare, size/age) for heritage and other notable trees, and agreed to revise the city’s arboriculture manual and cross‑check city code references before recommending code changes to city council.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578926,"Sandpoint commission selects western larch and ginkgo for downtown lot, schedules Arbor Day planting",2129,271000,2400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123973-c3c4135b09c7d9d36a617c99aacd85dd&start=271&end=2400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123973-c3c4135b09c7d9d36a617c99aacd85dd/thumbnail_271000.jpg","/articles/6578926/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-commission-selects-western-larch-and-ginkgo-for-downtown-lot-schedules-Arbor-Day-planting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578926-0f854d8017ce65398f9d60b7f564fff3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188418&Signature=jG8FX6i5jDgtCtJg3~MYeucesCGVliPsk26HbM00GUPrqrMclfw0HIsLvSAf76KTjFcxEOscQGeiFYdJooJiUICw7c2OvgWC7pOdR9WrD5wnDpizdUWZpWO7UvD77yvFHHCCQms7EYRZ6tGW7~BAfnn9PAik3q5hvlOBUHnA5z1VNTWmm3igKBvg00Vv8l7pvlqs0SPYyXF8rcTZvMPBXM4LKEkRamBZhNnhb8J1VXqXMEdqEeD7zZvbEHzuvz-Og4eW00N0AIbEdiO~MHNrtZ8gdyY6znMG9rAPR~hd7df2vKdFsPyHKly5AJ1MhYzjLvEcPX3wJwZWwiPQK-FX9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission voted April 24 to plant a western larch at the southwest corner of the downtown parking lot and a ginkgo in the center island, with a Kentucky coffee tree named as an alternate if the selected nursery stock is unavailable.

The action, taken during the commission’s regular meeting in council chambers, also included a motion to hold the city’s Arbor Day event on May 31 at Farm and Park pending approval from the farmers market. The commission approved the minutes from its March 27, 2025, meeting earlier in the session.

Why it matters: The species choice will shape the look and maintenance needs of a highly visible downtown site and will be used as a demonstration tree planting during Arbor Day activities. The selections reflect commissioners’ stated priorities for durability, canopy and town character.

What the commission decided
- Planting plan: The commission approved installing a western larch (Larix occidentalis) in the southwest corner of the lot and a ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) in the central island. If those species cannot be sourced in suitable nursery stock, the Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) will be used as an alternate.
- Arbor Day: The commission resolved to hold an Arbor Day event on May 31 at Farm and Park, with the start time to be set after confirmation with the farmers market (options discussed included 9 a.m., 10 a.m., noon or 1 p.m.). The commission discussed using the planting as an educational demonstration and installing interpretive signage.
- Minutes: The commission approved minutes from the March 27, 2025, regular meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes (03/27/2025): Motion to approve minutes as written. Mover: Preston Andrews. Seconder: Paige Belfry. Vote: 4–0–0 (yes–no–abstain). Outcome: approved.
- Downtown parking-lot tree selection: Motion to plant a western larch at the corner and a ginkgo in the middle, with Kentucky coffee tree as alternate. Mover: (motion offered during discussion). Seconder: Jeff Gregory. Vote: 4–0–0. Outcome: approved.
- Arbor Day event date/location: Motion to hold Arbor Day on May 31 at Farm and Park pending farmers market approval (start time to be confirmed). Mover: (moved and seconded during meeting). Seconder: Jeff Gregory. Vote: 4–0–0. Outcome: approved.

Discussion and context
Commissioners debated species for two new enlarged tree wells in the recently reconstructed downtown parking lot. Staff described field adjustments to enlarge two central tree wells and to install curbing to protect root zones. Commissioners discussed balancing conifers and deciduous specimens for year‑round character and shade. Preferences cited included western larch for a conifer on the corner and either ginkgo or Kentucky coffee tree for the central island; commissioners noted each species’ mature size, canopy shape and urban‑site performance. Several commissioners emphasized planting technique: smaller, properly handled stock tends to establish better than very large container/balled‑and‑burlapped trees unless root defects are corrected at planting.

Commissioners agreed to use the planting as a public demonstration tied to the Arbor Day event; staff said the city will provide seasonal watering (city‑scheduled waterings and water bags were discussed) if the tree is planted in the lot because the lot lacks a permanent irrigation system.

Implementation details and contingencies
- Nursery stock: Commissioners asked staff to attempt to source the larch and ginkgo locally and to use the Kentucky coffee tree only if the preferred species cannot be obtained in acceptable stock.
- Planting size and technique: Commissioners discussed typical local stock (around 1.5‑inch caliper was mentioned as commonly available) but emphasized survival over size and recommended addressing root circling at planting. Staff said contractors will be instructed on proper planting and root treatment.
- Public program: The planting is expected to be a demonstration for the public (mulching, staking, root handling) and could be dedicated as the commission’s Arbor Day tree.

Ending
The commission will proceed with ordering nursery stock and coordinating the planting and Arbor Day program with the farmers market and other community partners. Staff and commissioners said they will confirm start time and logistics once the farmers market’s availability is known.

","The Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission voted to plant a western larch at the southwest corner and a ginkgo in the center of the downtown parking lot, with a Kentucky coffee tree as an alternate. The commission also set an Arbor Day event for May 31 pending farmers market approval and approved minutes from its March meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local arborist raises concern about species mix at Russell Sports playground, cites ash and maple plantings

Sandpoint commission discusses heritage‑tree categories and update to arboriculture manual

Sandpoint commission selects western larch and ginkgo for downtown lot, schedules Arbor Day planting