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Shade Tree Commission outlines Arbor Day plan with Euclid High, rejects on-site tree giveaway
Summary
At its Jan. 16 meeting the Euclid Shade Tree Commission finalized partner commitments for Arbor Day — including Euclid High School and Cuyahoga Soil & Water — and voted not to hold a public tree giveaway at the Arbor Day event; the commission deferred a formal Arbor Day budget pending city funding decisions.
The Euclid Shade Tree Commission on Jan. 16 discussed final plans for its April Arbor Day celebration, confirmed participation from Euclid High School and Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, and decided against holding a public tree giveaway at the Arbor Day event.
The decision followed a multi-part presentation from Commissioner Roy (first name only in the meeting record) describing a three-pronged plan involving the Shade Tree Commission, Euclid High School’s SAVE (Students Against Violation of the Environment) club and the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District. Cuyahoga Soil and Water staff named in the meeting were Kate Chapel (Euclid Creek program), Callie Summers and Tim Becker (education program). Euclid High participants confirmed for the event included principal Corey Russell and assistant principal Nadine Platco; Ramona Spivey is listed in the meeting as the SAVE club advisor. The commission also discussed inviting the school’s Urban Agriculture program led by Josh Stevens.
Roy said Cuyahoga Soil and Water would provide two trees, species to be determined, and materials for planting and caging. The commission discussed whether the city’s service department would dig planting holes or whether student volunteers should do the digging; commissioners noted the service department is “incredibly overtaxed,” and agreed hand-dug holes for small trees were feasible.
Members raised concerns about a tree giveaway’s fit for a largely student-focused event and about long-term survival and stewardship for giveaway saplings. Commissioners noted many participating students may be renters or lack private planting sites, and several speakers said a giveaway risks improper planting or loss of trees if recipients lack a plan to plant and care for them.
The commission held a vote by raised hands and decided not to hold a tree giveaway at the Arbor Day event. Meeting discussion indicated the decision was driven by the event’s student-oriented audience and concerns about ensuring saplings would be planted and cared for, not solely by budget constraints. Commissioners also agreed to postpone finalizing a commission-funded Arbor Day budget until the city’s budget decision is known; the commission had discussed line items such as refreshments and planting supplies but tabled formal approval.
Commissioners discussed alternatives, including ordering small ‘‘whips’’ or saplings for a future fall distribution or reserving a purchased tree for a later appreciation event. Roy said he would check whether Cuyahoga Soil and Water could order and hold a third tree for possible use as a giveaway or raffle, but the commission’s secretary cautioned about payment and purchasing procedures through the city and said commission-approved funds or city procurement would likely be necessary.
The commission confirmed event logistics remain in progress: the Arbor Day event date listed in the commission’s draft goals is April 25, 2025, and the group agreed to continue planning at committee meetings. Several commissioners emphasized offering students refreshments and instruction about proper planting and aftercare.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve holding a tree giveaway at Arbor Day (mover/second not specified in transcript). Outcome: failed (commission voted not to hold a tree giveaway; vote by raised hands; counts not specified). Notes: Commissioners cited student audience, stewardship concerns, and procurement constraints. - Action: Defer final Arbor Day budget approval pending city budget outcome (consensus; no formal recorded roll-call tally). Notes: Commission discussed existing city-submitted budget request that could cover trees and supplies if approved.
Ending The commission left Arbor Day operational items to the Outreach & Education and Forest committees for follow-up and agreed to revisit budget and any potential giveaway or distribution events later in the year if city funding becomes available. Evidence of the Arbor Day discussion and the giveaway vote appears repeatedly in the meeting record and in committee summaries provided during the Jan. 16 meeting.
