Local Council sets September 30 deadline for Evergreen tree contest submissions

The Urban Forestry Meeting held by the City Council of Stow, Ohio, on July 14, 2025, focused on the planning and execution of a new contest centered around evergreen trees. The meeting began with a brief discussion about the approval of minutes from the previous meeting on June 9, which was unanimously approved.

The primary agenda item was the upcoming contest related to evergreens, which had been postponed in previous months. Council members debated whether to focus on evergreens or conifers, ultimately agreeing that the term "evergreen" would suffice for the contest. The group discussed the timeline for the contest, suggesting that measurements could be taken in August and September, with a decision to be made in October. It was proposed that the contest could coincide with the holiday season to enhance community engagement.

The council acknowledged the absence of a key member, Sue, who had previously organized the contest. Despite this, the members expressed a commitment to moving forward with the planning. They discussed the need for a posting to inform residents about the contest and set a submission deadline of September 30. The council emphasized the importance of having a good number of submissions to ensure a successful event.

Members also touched on the technical aspects of the contest, including the measurements that would be required from participants. They agreed to focus on branch spread as a key measurement, which would simplify the process for residents. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the next steps, including drafting a posting for the contest and ensuring that all members would review it before distribution.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the council's dedication to promoting urban forestry and engaging the community through the upcoming evergreen contest, with plans set in motion for its successful execution.