Evansville Tree Advisory Board approves multiple tree removals, orders brush clearing and 2-for-1 replacements for road projects

The City of Evansville Tree Advisory Board on April 3 voted to clear brush at a hazardous curve, approved replacement planting plans tied to multiple road projects that removed trees, and authorized several street- and park-tree removals.

Board action came after staff and outside project representatives described safety, right-of-way and engineering constraints that led to the tree removals and replacements. Jennifer McBoyle, a city staff member who presented a road safety audit, said, “the horizontal site distance around the curve and the clear zones are not being maintained. And per AASHTO guidelines, that requirement's 10 foot. So in that red hatched area is where we need 10 foot cleared, basically.” The board instructed urban forestry staff to work with city engineering to clear brush back to a 10-foot clear zone and to coordinate with CenterPoint on a utility pole the presenter measured at about 9 feet from the roadway.

Why it matters: the motions were framed as public-safety and project-coordination decisions rather than policy changes. Board members repeatedly emphasized a desire for earlier involvement in project design so trees could be considered before removal decisions were made.

Key votes and decisions

- Brush clearing at Petersburg curve (Brook Road area): The board approved a motion directing urban forestry to work with the city engineering department to push brush back to a 10-foot clear zone around the curve, and to engage CenterPoint about a utility pole located about 9 feet from the road. The board also noted a fence that may be on private property and said the property-owner issue must be resolved separately. (Motion made by Mike; seconded by Larry; voice vote — approved.)

- Crosspointe / Lloyd Expressway (INDOT) project: Board members were told INDOT removed eight trees to allow intersection/median changes at Crosspointe and the Lloyd Expressway. The board approved a motion to work with INDOT to replace removed trees at a roughly 2-for-1 ratio (16 trees proposed), to locate replacements within the three overlapping project zones where feasible, and to coordinate placement with the active neighborhood association. Chris Weil, assistant city engineer, said of the related city roundabout work, “we understand that there'll be mitigation on those. We just don't know the number just yet.” (Motion to approve coordination with INDOT and neighborhood association — motion made by Mike; seconded by Larry; voice vote — approved.)

- City roundabout / Crosspointe project: The board separately approved a motion to work with the City of Evansville on the city-managed roundabout/intersection project, to seek 2-for-1 or better replacement within project boundaries, and to coordinate with the neighborhood association on placement. Sean (urban forestry staff) agreed to provide neighborhood contacts to project staff. (Motion made and seconded; voice vote — approved.)

- 900 block South Albert Boulevard (street tree): The board approved removal of a small fruiting apple tree that neighbors requested be removed; the board noted there is no city record that the tree was originally planted by the city and that the neighborhood prefers cherries in that boulevard. A board member said the tree “could potentially get 25, 30 foot tall. I think. And really messy.” (Motion made by Mike; seconded by Paul Bassman; voice vote — approved.)

- Goose Town Park (two trees): The board approved removal of two large multi-stem trees (one sycamore and one maple) identified with structural defects and sited in a high-traffic area; staff agreed removal was appropriate for public safety and said they would attempt 2-for-1 replacement where feasible. (Motion made by Larry; seconded by Sarah; voice vote — approved.)

- 1139 Southeast First Street (two street trees): The board approved removal of two structurally weak trees that had been topped years earlier; members discussed possible nearby planting sites and noted recent plantings at Goose Town Park contributed toward a 2-for-1 balance. (Motion made by Sarah; seconded by Jean; voice vote — approved.)

Other discussion and follow-up

Board members pressed for earlier engagement in the design phase of public projects that affect trees, saying involvement before construction would allow more options to save trees or create alternate planting sites. Several members described existing coordination with INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) as improving outcomes but said statutory and procedural limits sometimes prevent the department from delaying removals once projects are in motion.

Staff reported routine project updates: trees planted along South Washington and US 41 projects, the addition of nine trees moved to the Greenway, and work on the Walnut Street area. Sean Dickerson (urban forestry staff) previewed the Arbor Day tree giveaway on April 12 and said the mayor will read a proclamation at the event; staff plan to track recipients and planting locations to evaluate survival rates. Sean also listed the 2025 tree-pruners licensing seminar dates as May 8, Aug. 7 and Nov. 6 at the C.K. Newsome Center.

The board additionally noted storm damage from the previous night: staff had received over 35 calls about limbs or trees down and had cleared 19 as of the meeting; crews planned continued cleanup.

ACTIONS SUMMARY (for newsroom clarity)

- Direct urban forestry to coordinate with city engineering to clear brush to a 10-foot clear zone at the Petersburg curve and contact CenterPoint to address a utility pole identified near the clear zone. (Approved.) - Direct staff to coordinate with INDOT to replace eight removed trees at a 2-for-1 ratio and to consult the neighborhood association on planting locations within project boundaries. (Approved.) - Direct staff to coordinate with the City of Evansville on roundabout/intersection planting mitigation and neighborhood association placement (2-for-1 or better where feasible). (Approved.) - Approve removal of the fruiting apple tree at the 900 block of South Albert Boulevard. (Approved.) - Approve removal of two structurally compromised trees at Goose Town Park. (Approved.) - Approve removal of two structurally weak trees at 1139 Southeast First Street. (Approved.)

Ending: Board members asked staff to document communications and to contact neighborhood associations before removals where possible. Several members said they would seek earlier design‑phase engagement on future public projects to identify opportunities to save existing trees or create new planting sites.