[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6155560,"mediaKeyId","5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3","parentId",5474744,"title","Spongy moth traps deployed; commissioners and residents flag several dying street trees","audioSeconds",564,"startMs",5412000,"endMs",5976000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3&start=5412&end=5976","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3/thumbnail_5412000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6155560/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Spongy-moth-traps-deployed-commissioners-and-residents-flag-several-dying-street-trees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155560-cdf3ad0a0606a7e3ef29b2e6484b2a4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775033782&Signature=NTeNe0DAlz6J4x3I7rBZPjqSUb2d9P7bSwpDJYMk~L6cIofs0lH3PYCWT6DItdghH7qhgrAzJXG4o-EHcWyXqY3GuUvJOpb0nTTsPtVtkwtb7BZ0Z~HeV7widMZYRbI1ArWS2lC86IfFU6F-He80W8h0Zd1R8szAjHmo1ZeVmMkKm8eHVlUDhiM3b9mVg9mQrnwk01Xzn~h3ldLiKNbTGOR1V2zTStPrufpU4Wo8gepuKkyFp3MtCo-bErDEVXNaNIlLAqqSjc-7Gmwnge7Ql~54BSpIm4ALsBKTLQvdtGoMJKVyIV7p7FievlLM5PE3djDXY3VuNeKaHYHHOuu0vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-25T18:40:02.107Z","article","City staff confirmed that spongy moth monitoring traps were deployed in Sandpoint and reported some local outreach and media attention, while residents used the meeting’s public-comment period to flag several dying or hazardous trees.
Eric Bush said the spongy moth traps were deployed about two weeks earlier with coordination from the Idaho Department of Lands: “The traps for the spongy moth were deployed 2 weeks ago. All 167 or however many the number was… IDL did a pretty good job of obscuring them so they couldn't be damaged,” he said, and noted a local newspaper article had covered the trapping effort.
In public comment, residents reported a large dying or dead elm on Boyer (near Winter Ridge heading into South Sandpoint) and an aging Norway maple near the park whose drip line had been covered by impermeable paving; speakers urged the commission and staff to inspect the trees and to consider permeable paving for future projects to avoid further root compaction and canopy loss. The commenter asked whether the city tests dying elms for Dutch elm disease; staff said they would investigate and inspect the sites.
Why it matters: spongy moth is an invasive defoliator monitored by state and local agencies; local traps are an early-detection step. The reported dying trees present immediate inspection needs and possible hazard abatement actions if the trees represent risk to the public.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sandpoint | Urban Forestry Commission Meeting | 07/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City and Idaho Department of Lands deployed spongy moth traps; Eric Bush and IDL coordinated local trapping. Public commenters raised concerns about a dying elm on Boyer and a Norway maple at the park whose drip line was paved over.","taxTitle","Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",52019,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6155563,"Commission hears warnings about park plantings, mulching and staff capacity",28,5268000,5296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3&start=5268&end=5296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3/thumbnail_5268000.jpg","/articles/6155563/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Commission-hears-warnings-about-park-plantings-mulching-and-staff-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155563-afd2fc6a2b435b229e25ebe99fa499f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775033782&Signature=DNVfLiPnWO5--hTC~ZbBzBIlZmWfNFL-jlkETx1WXVXxYDuIgO1tJ3VBTAGXBB6J3Sv4zooW3njUexHmJra4nQTT7isTyt1Q7yy~VS59myQzEgJ54Nk5hu8KH80iJuWvFMQk3PsS1yjChiQfAEaQj3FjWDhZo7SXvQLu5SbkkZWBABM7A4deZ2bbz~quw6s91rkdB4NLb36s5dGMwvr3yujBNiwVPqceV6RtFcJo0c5VA31EQtX~F5vc8c7JZmmg-m9IJl4ugLwogXVQfnouIZ8TFVdY987atVjWqyMGNs0taMRCqCfhCtb~yfzs-DhXg30N0JMRuVLl0oCX7OIH~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners and the city forester on July 24 raised concerns about the health and future of several recently planted or preserved trees, saying improper planting and lack of follow-up maintenance risk tree loss.
Eric Bush, city forester, said the contractor-installed trees at Traverse Park have suffered from improper planting and summer heat; the contract remains open and he said warranty work is available but he also warned the trees are in poor condition. “If I were to go there and do an assessment, I would say you need to throw them all away and start over,” Bush said, adding that the issue should have been remedied in spring, not summer.
Commissioners and staff also noted a downtown parking-lot preservation project where trees that were retained have no irrigation and lacked mulch after construction. Parks staff said crews are stretched thin; the parks superintendent confirmed limited crew capacity. Bush recommended adding a 3–5 inch layer of mulch around preserved trees to improve water retention and moderating soil temperatures, and suggested ChipDrop (a community wood-chip donation service) or contracting an arborist to deliver and apply mulch.
Why it matters: newly planted or disturbed trees are vulnerable during hot, dry months; without warranty enforcement, mulching and irrigation they may fail, nullifying prior preservation efforts. Commissioners urged staff to follow up with contractors on warranty obligations and to prioritize simple protective steps such as mulching.","City forester and commissioners flagged improperly planted trees at Traverse Park and a recently preserved parking-lot planting as at risk; recommendations included warranty enforcement, mulching (3–5 inches), irrigation and use of chip-drop services because parks crews are short-staffed.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6155567,"Sandpoint forester pushes tighter prohibited tree list, recommends limits on maples and ash",276,3499000,3775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3&start=3499&end=3775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3/thumbnail_3499000.jpg","/articles/6155567/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-forester-pushes-tighter-prohibited-tree-list-recommends-limits-on-maples-and-ash","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155567-aec261a0d05ac623361d3800e9617192/orig.mp4?Expires=1775033782&Signature=oRndfIV6c7SMV7RrTJy3g~R5YWlHXL8sF5-dAMZNyh9PH8hdi7T8CkOeqKgQ7tSZz2sThwJ03keAJNM7uhZ8jG8AwXiEpu5Je0G47fWi08e06QOEkDOPPuN6AnTJXkF~~dbQq4R4805u1xCTaKKnkJ8cgXMzIOkAIF-ubMm21qGzWhhfa7qYVZELji34bEmKF6fUOQvt8ei35F7Hrdmg4RyUbGJ0HUcSWrZHP2-Z3kXhVjE5bRsYnhi3-r1qyVDWXTdKmqrDNSAQXynT4eR3N3DryDMRjrRZqhKDAkz7XuNgD0-q4YVmD4pG2lbLKai5ELcjVplgHrmKHTS5N0UJEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sandpoint’s city forester told the Urban Forestry Commission on July 24 that the Arboriculture Manual should emphasize a clear list of prohibited street trees rather than attempt an exhaustive approved-species catalog.
Eric Bush said a long approved list would inevitably miss species people might plant and would discourage suitable, locally available specimens. “It’s much more important that we have a tight prohibited street tree list than a tight approved street tree list,” Bush said during the meeting.
Bush reviewed species currently in the city’s prohibited list as written in existing code and the urban forestry management plan: boxelder, cottonwood, poplar, willow, mountain ash (initially listed), American elm, fruit and nut trees, Ailanthus (tree-of-heaven) and bigleaf maple. He told commissioners he would remove mountain ash from the prohibition and treat it on a case-by-case basis. He also said the management plan recommends a temporary prohibition on planting additional maples (Acer) because maples make up roughly 20–25% of Sandpoint’s canopy and that heavy reliance on one genus increases the risk of catastrophic canopy loss if a pest or disease arrives.
Bush described a possible approach for a temporary ban on new Acer plantings, with exceptions for dwarf or ornamental varieties such as some Japanese maples, and suggested the commission consider a short “encouraged” list of species (for example, transmission-line-friendly trees) rather than a long approved list.
The commission discussed referencing established technical materials rather than reprinting them in full; Bush said he plans to include digestible planting and maintenance guidance and to reference the U.S. Forest Service and ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) best-practice materials where copyright and legal review permit. He said any revised manual will go through legal review before adoption. No formal vote on the manual was taken; the item will return as the draft is refined.","City forester Eric Bush proposed focusing the Arboriculture Manual on a short prohibited-tree list rather than an exhaustive approved list, recommended restricting Acer plantings to reduce disease risk and urged adding ash and known weak-wood cultivars to a ban.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6155570,"Sandpoint forestry commission approves four heritage-tree categories, pauses historical designation",2188,105000,2293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3&start=105&end=2293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474744-c4a61a264d2768c8bbb8b700509c32a3/thumbnail_105000.jpg","/articles/6155570/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-forestry-commission-approves-four-heritage-tree-categories-pauses-historical-designation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155570-e024988cef587663fe862c0e771a7a61/orig.mp4?Expires=1775033782&Signature=aI2yiRC71n858YVZn005ZtCRwiNQFTsV1JutBvgpKYVYLzlsiPNDntSh6C2rE1FizGbCojz-HWUWYp8~MyCvQIEG840GefhUohi94oWIEf1DZvSSqMwaxhOJOT5epKthHfrAgx~v4IHKT~PwOaRYMAwF753fST5rsFw1LDlnCwx8cuIHEvJRitHr4KoDM3YRJ-ZJmCyQW3l0gCf7mk82AxrnticmyPM~GUBPe~2Dfzq10VAkJHuHOyOwa6x3j8dc4bDb~cad4Ibmzs6czTuPXOnvJQo5Mfi6oW8o4~mLx18B-urLDEhMEx6Ggg6AqXa9AEs2berEHWtT4~gSqIXhEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission on July 24 voted to adopt four categories and definitions for heritage and other valuable trees in the city, while pausing action on a separate historical category pending review by the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission.
The commission approved the categories—specimen, rare, significant group/grove and unique ecological value—after discussion about wording that would allow flexibility, case-by-case review and preservation of ecological and aesthetic criteria. Commissioner Preston Andrews moved to approve “these categories and definitions 2 through 5,” explicitly excluding the historical category until the preservation commission weighs in; Chase Youngdahl seconded the motion and the measure carried.
Why it matters: the categories will guide future designation, signage and protection decisions and will be referenced in the city’s arboriculture manual and code documents. Commissioners said the change is intended to provide flexibility so trees that contribute to history, ecology, or community character can be considered even if they do not meet a rigid checklist.
The commission stressed that the historical category will be discussed separately with the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission in August. Commissioners debated whether “age” should be a standalone criterion and whether ecological contributions—such as habitat or stormwater functions—should appear among specimen criteria; they agreed to use permissive language (for example, “may include”) and to have the commission review nominations individually.
Commission chair Mose Dunkel called for the motion and the commission approved it by voice vote. Commissioners said the new categories are intended to be broad enough to include single significant specimens, distinctive rows or groves of trees, and trees that provide unique ecological services to an urban site. The commission plans to fold the new definitions into the updated Arboriculture Manual and to propose the revised manual for legal review before city council adoption.
The historical category remains on hold until the August meeting of the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission provides recommended language for inclusion.
","The Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission voted to adopt four heritage/valuable-tree categories—specimen, rare, significant group/grove and unique ecological value—while deferring the historical category pending input from the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Spongy moth traps deployed; commissioners and residents flag several dying street trees

Commission hears warnings about park plantings, mulching and staff capacity

Sandpoint forester pushes tighter prohibited tree list, recommends limits on maples and ash

Sandpoint forestry commission approves four heritage-tree categories, pauses historical designation