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Council presses Rec & Parks on tree-backlog, agency says clearing outstanding SRs would cost about $850,000
Summary
Committee members pressed the agency about tree‑service backlogs, closure rates and staffing. Rec & Parks reported a recent SR closure rate reported at about 70% (last CleanStat), an estimated $600,000 cost to address outstanding removals, $250,000 for pruning backlog and about $800,000 for stump work.
Baltimore City council members used the Rec and Parks budget hearing to press the agency on a persistent backlog of tree service requests and on the resources needed to reduce that backlog.
Why it matters: council members said street trees, stump removal and tree pits are high-visibility services for residents; delays affect public safety and neighborhood appearance.
Agency testimony and numbers: Matt Rescott, chief of forestry, told the committee the last CleanStat update showed a closure rate “about 70%” and that the agency had reclassified its tree inspection service-request category and extended the SLA to better capture the full work cycle. Rescott said the backlog includes roughly 2,700 outstanding pruning and removal work orders; Rec and Parks’ leadership estimated the cost to clear above‑ground backlog (pruning and removals) at about $850,000 (broken into approximately $600,000 for removals and $250,000 for pruning) and a separate approximately $800,000 estimate for stump removal work orders.
Committee requests and next steps: chair McCray asked for three specific lists — outstanding street-tree pruning requests, removal work orders and tree‑pit work orders — including origin date, assigned contractor (if any) and due date, and asked that the agency supply district-level breakdowns within two weeks. Council President Cohen requested a two‑page report with suggested solutions within four weeks; Director Moore agreed to the deadlines.
Discussion of staffing and comparisons: Director Moore and Rescott noted storms and regional demand for contractors affect capacity and cost. Moore compared Baltimore’s backlog favorably to larger jurisdictions on some metrics but said the city’s operating funding is smaller than some peers (for example, comparisons cited to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.) and that more investment or internal crews would shorten backlog times.
Ending: The committee asked Rec and Parks to deliver the requested backlog detail and to return with a short plan of suggested solutions within the requested timeframe.
