Aaron Leatherwood, a resident of 100 Coventry Lane, asked the Shade Tree Commission for permission to plant new trees in the city right‑of‑way in front of his property to replace several trees he had removed because they threatened a retaining wall.
Leatherwood described the location and condition of the previous trees and said he would prefer to plant either Japanese cherry trees or river birches. “I took those out,” Leatherwood said of the previously removed trees, explaining that roots and stems had begun to push against retaining walls in a drainage area at the bottom of Pomeroy Road.
Commission staff said a planting permit (permit number 2500006, submitted June 15) is in the city’s system and that staff will perform or arrange a site assessment before issuing final approval. A commission member said staff would visit the site and review species suitability, sight lines and maintenance implications; the commission agreed to defer a formal approval to the next Shade Tree Commission meeting to allow staff time for an on‑site assessment.
A staff member offered to meet Leatherwood at the property to discuss options and management considerations. Commissioners advised considering trunk protection for young cherry trees and selecting trees tolerant of any wet soils present near the drainage feature. The commission confirmed there is no immediate rush and noted fall planting (September–October) would be appropriate if the permit is approved.
No final permit decision was recorded at the July 10 meeting; staff said they will follow up with Leatherwood after the site visit and bring the item back to the commission at its next meeting.