Evansville tree board approves several removals, 307-tree planting and funding for ash-tree treatments

The City of Evansville Advisory Board on Sept. 4 approved arborist-recommended pruning and removals on residential streets, authorized removal of a split tree at Anthony Oaks Park with a 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 replacement requirement, and approved a broad planting plan to add 307 mostly native trees in parks and other public properties. The board also noted that the local solid waste district voted to fund a new round of treatments for ash trees affected by emerald ash borer.

The decisions came during the board's regularly scheduled meeting, where members discussed tree health, past planting failures, warranty terms, volunteer planting logistics and long-term canopy goals. Chair (Advisory Board chair) opened the new-business discussion by asking about neighborhood notification for street-tree removal requests: "These look to be mostly in the Van Park neighborhood. Did we notify the neighborhood association, Sean?" The board moved and voted on several items tied to the city arborist's recommendations.

Why it matters: the approvals affect the urban tree canopy, maintenance workloads and volunteer planting efforts across multiple Evansville parks and corridors. Board members emphasized replacing removed trees at higher ratios where feasible, improving species diversity, and preserving trees vulnerable to the emerald ash borer.

Most significant actions and supporting details

- Street pruning and removals: The board approved pruning for two trees and removals for others in residential locations (including Villa Street and addresses in the Van Park area) as recommended by the arborist, subject to neighborhood notification. The motion was made during new business and approved by voice vote.

- Anthony Oaks Park removal and replacement: The board approved removing a split tree at Anthony Oaks Park that board members described as in "pretty bad shape." The approval includes a stipulation that the removal be followed by a 2-to-1 or preferably 3-to-1 replacement planting in the surrounding area rather than at the exact removal site. Mike (Advisory Board member) moved the approval; Paul Johnson (Advisory Board member) seconded it, and the motion was approved by voice vote.

- 307-tree planting program: The board approved a plan to plant 307 new trees in parks and other public sites, a program that board members said will rely mostly on volunteer planting events and include tree-staking and contingency plans where needed. Chair (Advisory Board chair) described the planting stock as diverse and said, "They're all native varieties," noting the benefit to ecosystem diversity. Board members discussed previous high mortality rates for "ball-and-burlap" stock and said the new plan favors smaller, tube-stock trees with higher survival chances. The motion to approve the planting plan passed by voice vote.

- Warranties and past failures: Board members reported that many trees planted in 2024 failed (27 were identified for replacement) and discussed warranty coverage. One speaker noted current warranties of one year on the newly procured trees and two-year warranties on trees purchased last year; the board said the failed 2024 trees would be replaced.

- Emerald ash borer treatments: The board reported that the local solid waste district voted at its recent meeting to fund Sean's request (reported amount approximately $18,000) for a new round of treatments to protect ash trees. Board members described the funding as "good news" and discussed the need for public education on ash borer impacts.

Other discussion and implementation points

Board members discussed where volunteer planting will be used (including Deaconess Gable area and the state hospital grounds) and where vendors may be needed (Stockwell Park and McDonald's Golf Course). Members flagged practical issues such as vandalism risk, irrigation needs for fall plantings, and the difficulty of establishing street canopy in some downtown lots. The Walnut Street and US 41 corridor plantings were reviewed; members said survival along US 41 from Diamond to Lloyd looks promising but noted future mowing and maintenance questions on state- or federally funded roadways.

Board members also discussed outreach and partnerships. A board member described plans to ask private businesses to fund plantings on private property and encouraged other tree boards in Indiana to pursue joint resolutions urging that highway contracts include mowing/maintenance provisions to protect plantings funded by public projects.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes for Aug. meeting: motion by Gina (Advisory Board member), seconded by Sarah (Advisory Board member). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Street tree pruning/removals (Van Park/Villa Street addresses): motion to prune two trees and remove others per arborist recommendation, subject to neighborhood contact. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Removal at Anthony Oaks Park with 2–3-for-1 replacement: motion moved by Mike (Advisory Board member), seconded by Paul Johnson (Advisory Board member). Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Approval of planting plan for ~307 trees (mostly tube-stock, native varieties): motion to approve planting plan; seconded and approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved. - Reschedule January meeting from Jan. 1 to Jan. 8, pending building-authority confirmation: motion by Mike (Advisory Board member), seconded by Jean (Advisory Board member). Outcome: approved pending confirmation.

What remains unresolved

The board did not finalize contractor assignments for some sites, irrigation arrangements for fall plantings, or the full vendor/volunteer split for specific parks. Members asked staff to confirm neighborhood notifications and building-authority scheduling for the January meeting. Board members also agreed to continue public education about emerald ash borer and to follow up on the solid waste district funding details.

The board adjourned after approving the listed items and setting follow-up tasks for staff and volunteers.