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Committee reports new encroachment inspections, plans tree replacement and asks DTE question
Summary
Members described property inspections, a plan to replant trees on open space, mapping by a tree specialist and rising tree-removal costs; they asked staff to confirm whether DTE or the township should pay to remove hazardous trees in easements.
The Grosse Ile Greenways Open Space Committee reported ongoing encroachment inspections and early steps toward restoring open-space trees that residents removed, while flagging a budgetary question about which agency should pay for removing hazardous trees near power lines.
Committee members said several encroachment sites were inspected and that one Fourth Street property still had an open-space fire pit; the property owner agreed to remove it after a site visit. Members described walking all but one site in a recent field inspection with enforcement manager Ross Quiro. The committee also met with a tree specialist (identified as Davey in the meeting) to map recommended species and planting locations for restoration where residents had cut saplings on open space.
On restoration tactics, staff discussed planting acorns or saplings and advised that larger established saplings (about one inch or more in trunk diameter) may be preferable for survival. Committee members discussed tree-protection options including tree guards or plastic shields and noted wildlife (deer, rodents) can consume newly planted acorns or small saplings without protection.
Tree-removal and trimming work has exceeded the committee's planned budget. The committee had budgeted $12,000 for tree cutting and removal but reported it has spent about $17,050 to date and expects at least another $4,000 in additional work tied to issues on the Ferry Gauge Trail. Members also cited a recent bid of about $6,000 for trimming or removal near a Fourth Street site and other dead trees near the north open-space area by the Presbyterian Church, placing additional pressure on the committee's maintenance funds.
Members raised a recurring question about responsibility for trees near power-line easements. The committee discussed whether DTE (the local power utility) would cover removal when the hazard affects DTE lines or whether open-space funds must pay when the tree is on township property. Staff said they will pursue that question with DTE and report back.
The committee asked staff to continue the encroachment walkthroughs, to accept the tree specialist's planting plan when available, and to price protective guards for newly planted saplings.
Ending: The committee will await the tree specialist's planting recommendations, follow up with DTE about line-clearance responsibility and return with cost estimates for required removals and protective measures.
