Centralia staff outline downtown tree replacement plan, propose citywide tree policy and public open house

Assistant Public Works Director Andy O’Hane and Deputy City Manager Amy Buckler presented the council with a downtown tree replacement program and an update to the citywide public tree policy on May 27.

Staff said Centralia has 124 downtown trees, including 75 Norway maples — 60 of which are in planting grades — and 37 empty planting positions (10 in open landscaping areas and 27 surrounded by concrete). Officials said Norway maples have outgrown their downtown locations, causing curb, sidewalk and roadway damage. "These trees were an inappropriate selection for a downtown environment," O’Hane told the council.

Buckler outlined an initial fall 2025 plan to fill eight open planting positions and proposed a Q3 budget amendment to add $12,000 from the city’s undesignated fund balance to cover tree and materials costs for the open positions. Staff estimated broader implementation costs on the order of "about $186,000" to replace a larger set of trees but did not commit that full sum at the meeting; councilors were told city labor costs are budgeted separately.

Staff also described technical measures that will accompany replacements: larger planters, root barriers to keep roots growing downward rather than into sidewalks, hydro-excavation where necessary, and purchase of more mature stock (8–12 foot trees where feasible). Buckler said a certified urban arborist will be hired via RFQ to select species, advise on downtown-appropriate trees and guide pruning and aftercare.

Rebecca Stabler, a downtown business property owner, had told the council earlier she was upset about an aggressive late-spring trimming that she said was done without consultation; she and staff said they welcome volunteer expertise from Justin Zinkner, a forest geneticist who volunteered a downtown inventory and planting suggestions. Staff said they will host a public open house about trees on Aug. 7 to present species choices and gather public feedback, then bring a recommended tree list and policy to the city’s tree committee and, ultimately, the council in the fall.

Councilors asked about species, root barriers’ effect on stability and whether trees slated for removal would be salvaged where possible. Buckler said the arborist will advise which trees can be saved and that root barriers are intended to direct roots downward without compromising stability.

No ordinance or funding appropriation was adopted at the meeting; staff said they will return with a Q3 budget amendment request for the $12,000 and an RFQ for an arborist. The council thanked staff and community volunteers for work on the plan.