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Local arborist raises concern about species mix at Russell Sports playground, cites ash and maple plantings
Summary
John Gaddis, a Sandpoint resident and certified arborist, told the commission he inventoried 69 recently planted trees at the Russell Sports complex and found a high proportion of maples and several ashes; he urged the commission to note the issue and to ensure proper planting technique going forward.
John Gaddis, a Sandpoint resident and certified arborist, addressed the Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission at the start of its April 24 meeting to report on tree species and planting technique at the new Russell Sports playground and parking area.
Gaddis said he conducted an inventory of newly planted trees around the site and shared counts: of 69 recently planted trees, 16 were maples (about 23 percent) and four were Fraxinus (ash). He told the commission he was concerned both about the high proportion of maples and about planting ash given regional establishment of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on the Oregon side of the Canal divide.
"Of 69 trees newly planted around the parking lot and around the center I've tallied 16 were Maples and Acer... and then an additional 4 were Fraxinus, which is ash trees... I think that's very unwise to be planting that species right now knowing that we have the Emerald Ash Borer established on this side of the Canal Divide in Oregon," Gaddis said.
Gaddis also noted the city’s urban forestry management plan (2022) states the city should not enact a moratorium on planting maple species in public sectors (he cited page 58). He said he did not seek to assign blame for the plantings; rather, he asked the commission—newly formed in its current composition—to note the issue, help ensure proper planting, and prevent similar outcomes in future public projects.
Staff and commissioners acknowledged the comment, thanked Gaddis for performing the inventory and said they would consider the planting details and proper planting technique as reconstruction work continues.
Ending Commission members and staff said they appreciated the inventory and emphasized the commission’s role in oversight of species selection and planting practices for city projects.
