Shade tree commission says city removed diseased blue spruce on East State Street without required consultation

At its Jan. 9 meeting, the Athens Shade Tree Commission discussed the city’s removal last year of a blue spruce on East State Street that had been used as the city’s Christmas tree, saying the city did not consult the commission before taking the tree down.

Tristan Kennison, acting as the sitting chair for the meeting, said the spruce appeared to be “premature” and “fairly diseased” and that the commission had not been asked for input before removal. Commission members noted that Title 33 of the city code requires that "no person shall plant, prune, or move any tree in any public area of the city of Athens…without first obtaining permission from [the] Service Safety Director" and that such permission should be given in writing except in emergency cases. The transcript names Service Safety Director Andy Stone in that role.

"Even if… the decision is made by the Service Safety Director, consultation with the tree commission is important," said Jean, a commission member, describing frustration that the commission frequently faces public questions about removals without receiving background or explanation beforehand. Jean said the commission has "the resources and the expertise to give valuable information and guidance to the city." The commission also recorded that the city justified removal on health and public-safety grounds; one member said they would have supported removal had they been consulted.

Commissioners noted an Athens Independent report saying city staff plan to remove two other trees in coming years. Members said they want clearer advance notice and a written process for consultation so the commission can review health, replacement and mitigation options before removals occur.

The commission did not take a binding vote to require the city to reverse the removal. Instead members directed staff and a soon-to-be-formed communication subcommittee to pursue a memorandum of understanding or similar written agreement to clarify when the city must seek the commission’s review under Title 33.

The commission also recorded that the removed spruce’s use as a Christmas tree and the timing of removal under nonemergency circumstances were points of concern that the commission wants addressed ahead of the next holiday season. A member asked that the group work with city staff, specifically naming Andy Stone and other city contacts, to prevent similar uncoordinated actions.

Commissioners said they will follow up next month on steps to improve notice and to determine whether the two additional trees identified in reporting are on a timeline for removal.