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Brookings officials report tree vandalism, city outlines monitoring and replanting plans
Summary
Public comment and staff reports at the Aug. meeting said roughly 20 public trees were damaged last year, with an estimated $10,000 cost; city forestry staff and parks officials described monitoring, outreach and fall replanting plans.
A member of the public told the Brookings City Council on Aug. 12 that vandals have killed boulevard trees by hanging and pulling on them, and city staff described steps to monitor, prevent and replace damaged trees.
In public comment, a resident said a 3-year-old boulevard tree was destroyed over the weekend and that last year the city lost “about 20” public trees to similar damage, which the speaker estimated cost the city about $10,000. The resident said the losses affect shade, stormwater mitigation and the character of Brookings.
Parks and forestry staff said city teams are already working to manage pests including emerald ash borer, pine wilt and Dutch elm disease, and that multiple departments are coordinating outreach and monitoring. Parks staff also said they will remove ash trees per the city’s emerald ash borer management plan and replant this fall when weather is favorable.
Assistant to the city manager Samantha Beckman provided the city’s monthly progress report and noted parks work including trail and drainage improvements, swing replacement at Hillcrest Park and tree removals at Rotary Park because of stressed spruce plantings; she said replacements will be planted this fall. Beckman said removals and replantings for boulevard ash trees will begin in Zone 4 (Dirdall, Elmwood, Olwine and connecting avenues) and continue into October.
Council member Holly Tiltonburn, speaking during public comment, thanked parks staff and noted that the count of about 20 trees referenced by staff reflects public property only; she said similar private-property damage has been observed.
Staff said they are reviewing prevention strategies and will continue public outreach, including reminders about available tree rebates for residents and fall planting advice. The parks department asked residents to check the city parks website for rebate details and contact staff about planting on private or public property.
City officials signaled continued monitoring and neighborhood outreach this fall but did not announce new enforcement measures at the meeting.
