Sandpoint forestry commission approves list of street-tree species to replace 16 dead downtown trees

The Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission voted Thursday to approve a short list of tree species that city staff may purchase this fall to replace dead street trees in the downtown core.

Commissioners and staff said the effort aims to replace 15 dead trees on First Avenue and Cedar Street and one additional planting island in the downtown parking lot, increase species diversity and improve canopy resilience in the downtown corridor.

City staff liaison Eric Busch said the work will be funded from the city’s current urban forestry budget and that Parks and Streets staff will perform the plantings. “We’re hoping to purchase and replace those trees this fall, to get our canopy growing and maturing downtown,” Busch said. He told commissioners he will check with local nurseries on availability and may use fiscal‑year 2026 funds for other sidewalk/height‑obstruction trimming work that could not be completed before the fiscal year ended Sept. 30.

Busch presented a short list of species for commissioners to consider: Zelkova (Zelkova serrata, including the columnar 'Musashino' variety), European beech (Fagus sylvatica, including tricolor varieties), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus, ‘Espresso’/male selections to minimize pods) and katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum). Commissioners and staff also discussed London plane (Platanus × acerifolia) and native oaks as additional options. Busch said he would avoid adding more maple and Prunus (ornamental cherry) because those genera are already a high percentage of the city's canopy.

Commission discussion focused on matching canopy width to specific planting spots, avoiding species that need full sun in shaded locations, and diversifying species to reduce risk from pests or pathogens. Busch told commissioners he prefers planting at least three different species across the 16 sites and that if a species isn’t locally available staff will substitute alternatives from the approved list. He also said the city is exploring engineered soil mix for some locations to improve survival rates and that in‑house crews will perform the labor, reducing out‑of‑pocket planting costs.

Rebecca Holland, a Sandpoint resident who spoke during public comment, urged commissioners to investigate struggling recent plantings at Travers Park and to ensure contractor care before contract closeout. “These trees...are really, really, really struggling,” Holland said, asking that the record reflect concern about maintenance of newly planted material.

The commission approved the species list on a motion by Commissioner Preston Andrews, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Gregory. Commissioners also voted to postpone final action on a separate heritage/historic tree definition so staff could incorporate input from the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission and return the item at the next regular meeting.

Busch said staff will prioritize checking local nursery availability, confirm selections, and proceed to purchase within the available budget. He also said the Parks and Streets departments have equipment to plant the trees and that staff will return with any cost or availability constraints if they arise.

Votes at a glance — the commission took several procedural actions during the meeting related to the downtown planting and the commission’s work:

• Motion to accept the amended agenda (added the downtown planting item): moved by Preston Andrews, seconded by Jeff Gregory; outcome approved (ayes recorded; no opposing votes on the record).

• Motion to approve minutes of the July meeting: moved by Preston Andrews, seconded by Jeff Gregory; outcome approved.

• Motion to approve the list of tree species/staff authority to select combinations based on availability: moved by Preston Andrews, seconded by Jeff Gregory; outcome approved.

• Motion to postpone final adoption of the historic/heritage tree definition to the next meeting (to incorporate input from the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission): motion moved and seconded on the record; outcome postponed.

What happens next: staff will verify stock and pricing with local and regional nurseries, refine species counts (Busch said he prefers to avoid planting 15 of a single species), and schedule plantings this fall if trees can be procured. Commissioners asked staff to return with any recommended soil‑amendment specifications and with final species and quantity recommendations if availability forces substitutions.