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Seat Pleasant hears tree-inventory findings: 20 public right-of-way trees, 655 potential planting sites
Summary
Neighborhood Design Center presented a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation–funded inventory showing 20 public‑right‑of‑way trees, nine recommended removals, 17 trees needing maintenance and roughly 655 potential planting spaces; NDC recommended prioritizing large native species where utilities permit and offered training and mapping support.
Dequan Spencer, a project coordinator and landscape designer with the Neighborhood Design Center, presented the Seat Pleasant Tree Inventory Report during the City Council meeting, describing a grant-funded survey of trees in the public right of way and recommendations for maintenance and new plantings.
The report, funded through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant and prepared by the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC), surveyed trees in the municipal public right of way and identified species, size, estimated age and health, potential removal candidates and planting opportunities. "My name is Dequan Spencer from the neighborhood design center. Today we'll be discussing the Seat Pleasant Tree Inventory Report and Analysis," Spencer said as he introduced the presentation.
NDC told the council the inventory counted 20 existing trees in the public right of way, recommended nine removals, flagged 17 trees for general maintenance such as pruning or dead‑limbing, and identified about 655 locations suitable for new plantings. NDC said roughly 75% of the inventoried canopy was in healthy condition. Colin Bridal, NDC's urban forestry project manager, described the field methods and species documented, listing crepe myrtle as the most common street tree followed by cherries, red oak, honey locust, red maple, American linden, black gum, ginkgo and zelkova.
Catherine Love, urban forestry technician with NDC, urged the city to prioritize planting large native tree species where there are no overhead wires and to adopt a plan for post‑planting watering and early care. "If possible, get started, with the planting plans. Where there's no overhead wires, we suggest prioritizing planting large native tree species," Love said. NDC also recommended maintenance training for public works staff and the creation of an interactive map for community engagement.
As part of its eco‑benefit analysis, the presentation reported a figure of 11,300 (unit not specified in the presentation) associated with the current canopy and projected savings of about $200,500 if roughly 600+ proposed trees are planted; NDC recommended pursuing additional tree‑planting grant funding and contracts to support planting and maintenance. The council asked staff to follow up on sites with erosion or soil loss and on who would be responsible for long‑term maintenance; NDC clarified the grant covered the inventory and management recommendations, while planting and upkeep would require additional funding or city resources.
NDC provided examples of nearby municipalities (Cottage City and Colmar Manor) as possible models for interactive mapping and community engagement and offered to share resources and further guidance on inventory management.
The presentation closed with NDC offering to assist with implementation steps including grant applications, maintenance training and continued inventory updates.
