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Public feedback urges native species in free-tree campaign; city to consult tree board
Summary
A resident urged the parks department to include native fruit-bearing trees to replace invasive pear trees; staff said the current free-tree list is already purchased for this year and suggested the resident meet with the tree committee for future plantings.
A city resident used the public-comment period to urge the parks department to prioritize native fruiting trees (for example, Mexican plum) in the free-tree campaign and criticized Bradford/Callery pear trees and honeysuckle as invasive or poor long-term choices for winter bird forage.
The resident said pear trees produce fruit that attracts robins in winter, distributing seed and aiding an invasive species problem, and recommended replacing pear trees with native alternatives that support birds year-round. The parks director and commissioners responded that the free-tree inventory for the current season is already purchased and cannot be changed this year, and they encouraged the resident to meet with the city—s tree committee (tree board) to discuss species selection for future campaigns.
Staff noted the tree board provides recommendations on plantings and that the city purchases tree stock in advance; planners said the tree board members are experienced and that future campaigns can reflect committee advice and resident input.
Ending: Staff asked the resident to meet with the tree committee and suggested the commission would incorporate tree-board recommendations in planning future free-tree distributions.
