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City forester: Wausau’s City Hall block shows Norway maple decline; staff to replant with salt-tolerant species
Summary
Parks staff relayed a city forester assessment that eight Norway maples near City Hall are in very poor condition and six more are fair; staff plans pruning, selective removal, and replacement with salt-tolerant species.
City of Wausau Parks staff on Monday reported an assessment of trees surrounding the City Hall block that found significant decline among the Norway maple population and recommended pruning, selective removal, and replanting with salt-tolerant species.
Jamie read a statement from City Forester John Cairns saying eight trees on the block are in "very poor condition and want removal and replacement," while six additional trees are in fair condition and should be pruned and retained in the short term. "All the trees... are Norway maple," the statement said, and staff will select salt-tolerant species for replacements.
The forester’s statement attributed decline factors to difficult growing sites, high salt exposure from winter maintenance, girdling roots and soil conditions; the statement also said studies across the U.S. show urban Norway maples are in broad decline. Jamie said crews will prune, remove dead trees, and plant new species better suited to salt-prone sites.
Alderman Veil (committee member) told colleagues he had discussed boulevard-tree practices with the infrastructure committee chair and expects continued intercommittee attention to tree-preservation strategies. The report was informational; no formal action or vote was taken.
