Commission backs moving forward with 2025–26 landscape master plan to remove hazard trees

The Michigan State Capitol Commission discussed and signaled support to proceed with its 2025–26 landscape master plan, which calls for removal of hazard trees near the building and replanting trees at the site perimeter to restore historic sightlines.

Rob Blackshaw, the commission’s executive director, summarized renderings showing how removing inner trees and replanting perimeter trees would reopen the central lawn and restore an historic “alley of trees” effect approved in prior plans. He said some trees are already designated hazard trees and one (referred to as Tree 12) will be removed after recent storm damage; a specific removal was scheduled “on the thirteenth,” he said.

Commissioners asked about the plan’s interaction with a large, hollowed catalpa tree near the building. Blackshaw said iron posts currently support the catalpa, which has a roughly 6-foot cavity, and staff plan to replace it with a new catalpa specimen and a matching tree on the north side when removal becomes necessary. He referred commissioners to a detailed landscape plan by Carrie Chartkoff for species rationale and sizing; planned planted trees were described as Michigan hardwood species at least 6-inch caliper.

Commissioners voiced support for moving forward, and Blackshaw said he would email packet illustrations and the detailed plan to commissioners. The discussion produced no recorded roll-call vote; the record shows commissioners expressed no objection to advancing the plan at this meeting.

Blackshaw said some smaller flowering trees remain in other areas such as Heritage Hall and that staff can consider smaller flowering specimens where appropriate.