[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6150379,"mediaKeyId","5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d","parentId",5508179,"title","Commission members discuss interest in planting sequoias; staff flag questions about sourcing and invasiveness","audioSeconds",66,"startMs",1543000,"endMs",1609000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d&start=1543&end=1609","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d/thumbnail_1543000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6150379/Ohio/Commission-members-discuss-interest-in-planting-sequoias-staff-flag-questions-about-sourcing-and-invasiveness","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150379-f29750df7d3802f3188fad6a42383453/orig.mp4?Expires=1775170677&Signature=gFg-o94bCKkfBo-fcnqepTtq9ZFKTxPwdoMtIBVeqMnmLtxHoVVhkMWXaXksY3NsNHAL28k~83G2YLF-xZftErsaeiAgoD2UIf-sgMqWQH-DvwqcTnIog-lZXB0duRdM2SVMMK2FYEJ2retWUfQYC3kHT-lkaGcdJfTdAfFg-jkOJPPkUxmfcsZxsIzPYvEWSpgYsuilfLuVf4ZbvJXAmtdKLTRsbeqaG~HKT-Yq0bw5ftahRYRml8lbBd-yQrkMFx9RhGjtS-Rq9b8Qkcj~~2-KO1IYB3l~neoZca3l0Vhx38k9F1VF15HfSCK4jD0YwvFMYLbt1M3mjCfuYQehbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mount Vernon, OH ","date","2025-07-30T07:52:00Z","article","Commission members raised the idea of planting sequoias on city property and discussed potential sources. One member said she had researched growers in Michigan cloning sequoias and suggested exploring domestic suppliers rather than ordering from California. She said she would try to contact a grower and compare options.

Staff voiced caution about potential invasiveness and scale: commissioners noted a mature sequoia could have a very large crown (one comment cited a 30‑foot diameter) and that suitability for city planting needs more research. Members said they had not found documentation that sequoias are invasive in the area but planned to gather more information before any purchase. The commission also said a planned fence installation at the prospective planting site would need to be completed before buying trees for that location.

No procurement or purchase decision was taken at the meeting; the conversation was exploratory.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Live Stream - City of Mount Vernon, Ohio","oneSentenceSummary","Members discussed exploring sources for sequoias, including domestic cloning efforts, and noted the need to wait for a fence installation and to examine whether the species would be suitable in local conditions.","taxTitle","Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio","taxId",71655,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6150383,"Staff signals shift: city will replace removed city trees whenever possible",224,1754000,1978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d&start=1754&end=1978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d/thumbnail_1754000.jpg","/articles/6150383/Ohio/Staff-signals-shift-city-will-replace-removed-city-trees-whenever-possible","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150383-b3e7afa8d61b1e095916e639f4fd423f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775170677&Signature=ITQ1geuTbQF37Azt~0Gptd06BuzYEai19DKXeM2Lw-Kwb8eq5LSWlpFhORpCCQLUTg68NX3Y-Xts5ADehjLTXxEJoGuU77XwaJUuZ4PYHoKsXjHjpk7t-hVxRQmUObHJSxQ1io4fe078vdM6msw4ybKupAj8P3PcRIST3vw1Sm9uHXim3buCawA~3Ll6qOo6~g5-AYKDyqkTbQUqWWpC~XsOnSfXRSBSm3O82Slk7BvjDb~uroq9kFpKx0kWYDeD9Hyko4uCCT-QZBjHomVyR9YLTC34j3-Uy9sc2RKcvTwr7AVyKUhOzVUAoe~kC-xi1LuggWWcU8YY4GtR8S5HjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commission staff reported a shift in operational practice: when a city‑owned tree is removed, staff said the intention is to replace it with a new tree as soon as feasible. The change was described as staff practice rather than a formal ordinance; members said the policy applies only to city trees and cannot be imposed on private property owners.

Staff and commissioners said the change responds to an aging urban canopy and recent storm damage; members noted the city’s canopy was estimated at about 19 percent in meeting remarks and that achieving recommended canopy levels will take decades. Commissioners explained that replacing removed city trees, particularly along corridors and tree lawns, is intended to preserve canopy and the benefits trees provide for cooling, stormwater and habitat.

Members said they will continue to prioritize tree health assessments and replace trees when possible, but they did not adopt a binding regulation at the meeting.","Commission members reported a new practice for city trees: staff said the city will replace any city‑owned tree removed with a new planting, to help restore canopy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6150388,"Volunteers to install 150 tree guards; group schedules a Saturday morning workday at Hiawatha Park",1530,995000,2525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d&start=995&end=2525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d/thumbnail_995000.jpg","/articles/6150388/Ohio/Volunteers-to-install-150-tree-guards-group-schedules-a-Saturday-morning-workday-at-Hiawatha-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150388-26b007a6abf0baf3f3d2bd04e0715804/orig.mp4?Expires=1775170677&Signature=n-QlVHj0~1h8qt-dhc5OWRtVtryqOYWsG6qQ4Y8adRS4okmuKkMQyaqE5-R5wuteTlx9-L20NWxGg3N9ICKMj3aOMr2Ba94V6Fom34Qkl7L5A9b3N-fhXKZuXhyEqNOmrUQKuHaJBGEoPy6v1aXqXXuPsoCJ9QUo~Isc-VQFg3EW7amCIuhkv6rUUXdH1By3Nw47STq10pSnmX57lmP2Vgk7x7VPAvkxkbZ0FYJKN9gEOWC3prevlDwbhKrqx7n2SVh-0zCH9Y6NpPCLc6pLn36ur18rbfowCO0gm9BYa4eEthvUHpsAETkHw98SduK0mXBEYwb9ATxM0LHhoftWRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commission members said they have acquired 150 new hard‑plastic tree guards (about 42 inches tall by 15 inches wide) designed to protect young trees from deer and allow several years of growth without removal. Members discussed logistics for wrapping the guards around trunks and securing them with zip ties, and suggested also bringing corrugated pipe and other protective supplies to place on older trees that are showing wear.

Volunteers and staff agreed to schedule a morning work session on a Saturday in August to wrap and install tree guards at two sites: Hiawatha Park and Ariel Foundation Park (the latter described as a setback area with more weeds). The group agreed on the 23rd as the proposed Saturday and set an 8 a.m. start time at Hiawatha Park, with a plan to allocate crews and supplies and to collect extra materials from storage prior to the event. Members said the work could take a couple of hours to a full morning depending on how many people attend and how quickly teams can wrap and secure guards.

Members requested volunteers bring basic tools and noted staff would supply zip ties, guards and some corrugated pipe; members also discussed where to stage materials and the possibility of returning unused items to the municipal shop.","The commission has 150 new plastic tree guards and scheduled a volunteer wrapping and installation day for newly planted trees; members agreed on a Saturday morning in August and proposed meeting at Hiawatha Park at 8 a.m.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6150392,"Commission reports riparian restoration work: 500 live stakes planted and invasive honeysuckle removal",338,1138000,1476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d&start=1138&end=1476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d/thumbnail_1138000.jpg","/articles/6150392/Ohio/Commission-reports-riparian-restoration-work-500-live-stakes-planted-and-invasive-honeysuckle-removal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150392-c73ab2ade3a151d179dd26af9090a2ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775170677&Signature=hkboPkZjPOrOyV5~uOw~tUq4JLU1nm7qK2jgN9y4ZrGwqlUTs5fO1hDQs2p2zkV44un76RPn43uMcSRX96YF~Egq0MsfMY9s2YHl-iqCUikZlsyKTnWWl0oG47pcd91ZqtzYnY2pxzqqdKEcxx4u8lOdyNQ38mTHTr2hA3Hj19ZFS3S9Q1~2fCyTcpzjeMGVLv5EDe6Vt0-B9TWCHFr~-tHxGFDpGDmoeYaTZcVS0xAZJj6OI5IcmILFRhxMh1vSYLxPecfnp4tkXPOhKA8f15sAsoBO8jtD2Er4c9574Q11wRW~q-kdxnKOdalxggftq-4jRlHhT6EvK~LehRAD2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commission staff described a riparian restoration project that paired invasive honeysuckle removal with native plantings intended to support pollinators. Staff said the spring work included installing approximately 500 live stakes of native willow, dogwood and ninebark, and removing roughly 800 young honeysuckle saplings during two volunteer field days.

Quentin (staff member) explained the rationale: invasive Japanese honeysuckle grows densely along river corridors, shades out native seedlings, and can form a nearly pure understory that prevents forest regeneration. The commission said the live‑stake method uses cuttings from native shrub species that can root and regrow; staff revisited early plantings after a flood event and reported most stakes remained in place.

Staff also discussed coordination with other agencies: the group said Ohio Department of Transportation gave written permission for planting and follow‑up work at a site off Harcourt Road near a bridge over the river because that location is state property and not in city limits. Removed invasive material was taken to the municipal composting facility on Thayer Road, where it was mulched.

Members said the goal is to reestablish native riparian vegetation that provides shade, reduces erosion and improves habitat for fish and pollinators. Staff described follow‑up work to keep regrowth of honeysuckle suppressed while native plantings establish.","Staff described recent riparian habitat work: planting hundreds of live stakes of native shrubs, removing invasive Japanese honeysuckle and coordinating with ODOT on state right‑of‑way projects.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6150397,"Shade Tree Commission advances large West End planting push; mailer with QR code to reach hundreds",300,16000,316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d&start=16&end=316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5508179-b05cc4d7a3cea8389e1f2d8435c57f5d/thumbnail_16000.jpg","/articles/6150397/Ohio/Shade-Tree-Commission-advances-large-West-End-planting-push-mailer-with-QR-code-to-reach-hundreds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150397-8476d0f5953e57f4d5c0c474e1ae89c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775170677&Signature=QKENeXxIbRpURBhQjZksGxhZllp5yNRcALrLpN9kO6O5yOYXc76oJ5fEu2yzoRl-j61L~P3UPfrrin2gLIZ68CgWIPVAmRXP0Mmfs92AhS2ovayISCKwqFRaN4cH7yvQrdzxz~SY4hrvbUC3wdcqDVLKKbmuf4rM~WmK97WQ~GoTQhv2Q42A9OYXQeq8RlHj4kR2SIaxQ-Rjg2GW4606PdGvql-Jg0BkcdSZZIUGfgO1WhfWeHCFwS8mvypF0ioTCuiUPeyu3qGKi5r0uHxPOVOJFLcObOFEjPAtOUCp1JQbuwo~sXeXtKTI20gQFc6evUN4MB39eHFCIgeX2Qhpxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shade Tree Commission discussed plans to plant a large number of trees across the West End and Clintonville corridors, and members said mailers will go to roughly 360 households to recruit participants for the multi‑year project. The commission approved minutes for April, May and June by voice vote during the meeting. The mailer includes a QR code and a form residents may complete online, in person, or by phone to request a tree; the commission said responses previously exceeded expectations when the format was used.

Commission members and staff said the project covers a broad area — described in meeting remarks as the West End from High Street North through Mansfield Avenue and the Clintonville area — and was intentionally described as “multi‑year” in the mailing to avoid creating the impression crews could plant everywhere in a single season. Staff said the desired planting in the West End could be “a couple hundred” trees if uptake is high, but that final numbers depend on orders and planting conditions.

City staff discussed logistics: about 360 letters are ready to mail, and staff proposed an early‑September cutoff for tree orders to allow time for nursery ordering. Staff said actual planting will occur “when the weather permits,” with fall (when trees are dug) noted as a typical season. The commission said the city will provide a water truck to assist newly planted project trees and that project trees will receive city watering; resident recipients must agree to additional regular watering as part of the tree request form. Staff described the typical planting stock as two‑inch caliper trees, roughly eight feet tall, which are provided to residents with a watering bag. Meeting remarks said the watering bag can take a few hours up to a day to soak through depending on conditions.

Commission members reviewed recent program performance: the group reported having planted more than 400 trees in recent years (including recurring Tree City Partner, or TCP, placements), with a typical TCP program contributing about 70 trees annually. Members said losses were modest in prior years but increased during severe drought conditions; one member said about five trees were lost in the hardest recent year. Staff noted insect pressures on some species (for example, crabapples showing scale) and said treatments can help but cannot fully eliminate some outbreaks.

Financial and equipment notes were discussed: the commission expects lower postage lead times and cost using the current mailer approach, and staff flagged supplies such as tree guards, corrugated pipe and zip ties for installation during volunteer events. Members also raised fertilizer and tank sizing; staff said the water truck uses a roughly 500–550 gallon tank and that fertilizer mixes should keep nitrogen lower in the first year.

No ordinance, statute or formal policy was changed at the meeting; the planting program and ordering deadlines were presented as operational plans and contingent on order volume and weather. The commission scheduled volunteer and operational tasks (see related article on tree‑guard installation) and said staff will confirm final order counts and planting dates with the nursery once the order cutoff is reached.","The Shade Tree Commission discussed a multi-year tree-planting effort targeting the West End and Clintonville corridors, approved routine minutes, and set ordering and watering procedures for hundreds of new trees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission members discuss interest in planting sequoias; staff flag questions about sourcing and invasiveness

Staff signals shift: city will replace removed city trees whenever possible

Volunteers to install 150 tree guards; group schedules a Saturday morning workday at Hiawatha Park

Commission reports riparian restoration work: 500 live stakes planted and invasive honeysuckle removal

Shade Tree Commission advances large West End planting push; mailer with QR code to reach hundreds