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Mount Vernon Shade Tree Commission approves sequoia purchase, outlines pear-removal and large planting plans
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Summary
At a regular meeting, the Mount Vernon Shade Tree Commission discussed removal of invasive Callery (Bradford) pears, plans to plant hundreds of trees this year, grant outreach for homeowner replacement vouchers, and approved purchase of giant sequoia starts for long-term plantings.
At its meeting, the Mount Vernon Shade Tree Commission approved the purchase of containerized giant sequoia starts and discussed a city-contracted program to remove invasive Callery (Bradford) pear trees while expanding tree plantings across the city.
Commission members said the city has contracted to remove 80 Callery pear trees from the public right of way this year and is exploring a voucher program and partner funding to help homeowners replace pear trees on private property. Staff and commissioners described the pears as an invasive, widely spreading species poorly suited to the local ecosystem and said removal requires cutting, chemical treatment of roots and stump grinding.
The commission also reviewed multiple planting programs that will add several hundred trees this year. Commissioners and staff said 426 trees had been encumbered for the 2024 planting cycle and that the commission expects to plant roughly the same scale (discussants cited totals in the mid‑400s), while the city has removed about 40 trees so far this year. The commission described separate funding streams for removals, maintenance and plantings and said more planting money is available from multiple sources.
Staff described ongoing grant outreach to potential partners, including an application process tied to a corporate sponsor and conversations with the Ariel Foundation and others. Commissioners said a related grant application has a September deadline. They also said the previously anticipated ODNR grant tied to the Inflation Reduction Act will not be available because that program was cancelled.
Commissioners described specific projects: planting about 40 arborvitae at Heartland Commerce Park as part of a private agreement (the private partner bought water bags and the commission agreed to water the first growing season), a May 9 Arbor Day planting at Pleasant Street where the mayor will read a proclamation and a bald cypress will be planted, and smaller targeted plantings under the TCP program that allow resident-requested trees on private property (recipients are required to water the tree the first year). Engineering staff reported planting 100 American chestnut hybrids received from the Division of Forestry and that Bee City and volunteers will plant persimmon starts in a prairie area of the Blackjack Wetlands and other riparian edge sites.
On contractor matters, the commission said the city is using SOS Tree Services for the pear removals and that private homeowners may contact that contractor to request tree removal services; staff said they would also approach other local contractors to see if they can offer reduced rates as part of a city-backed outreach effort. The commission said it is actively seeking a contractor or staffing solution to replace work formerly done by a longtime maintenance employee (Scott Zimmerman), including pruning, mulching, herbicide application and invasive species control.
On a separate item, commissioners voted to authorize a purchase of containerized giant sequoia starts. After discussion about survival rates and planting sites, a motion to buy starts (the meeting record does not name the individual who made the motion) was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners said they will plant the small sequoias in protected locations (for example the Blackjack Road prairie) and cage or otherwise protect them until they are large enough for transplanting.
The meeting closed with procedural items and plans for a site walk at Gilchrist (Gilcrest) Estates to review developer plantings and compliance with the city's planting specifications; commissioners said they will invite the neighborhood resident who raised concerns, engineering staff and the developer or contractor to join that site visit.
Votes at a glance: • Approval of minutes — approved by voice vote (mover/second not specified in the record). Notes: voice vote; individual tallies not recorded in transcript. • Authorization to purchase giant sequoia starts (25 starts approved in the meeting; motion/second recorded in meeting transcript, vote approved by voice). Notes: size/price per start discussed as about $49 plus shipping; shipping not yet specified.
Next steps noted by staff and commissioners included completing a homeowner voucher/grant program design for private pear removals and replacement, starting the contracted pear-removal work for 80 right-of-way trees this year, continuing grant applications through September, scheduling the Gilchrist Estates site walk for inspection and follow-up with the contractor, and coordinating watering and equipment roll-out with the parks department for trees recently planted by engineering and commission volunteers.
