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Tree commission warns of beech leaf disease, seeks funding for treatments and public outreach
Summary
The Tree Commission told the council it is distributing seedlings, planning public Arbor Day events and urging the town to invest in treatments for beech leaf disease and tree canopy preservation.
Members of the Portsmouth Tree Commission updated the council on spring activities and warned that beech leaf disease is affecting public and private trees across the island.
Scott Wheeler, chair of the commission, and John Fitzgerald, the tree warden, said the commission will distribute about 350 seedlings on April 5 and hold Arbor Day activities at Melville School. The commission also described emerging pests and diseases (including beech leaf disease and bronze birch borer) and noted options for protecting specimen trees such as treatment injections (estimated at roughly $27 per inch of trunk diameter for certain treatments) and targeted preservation of high-value trees.
Wheeler said the commission has advised the town on standards and will circulate comment opportunities related to Rhode Island Energy's proposed vegetation-management policies. Commissioners asked councilors to consider increased funding for tree maintenance to protect canopy cover, noting tree canopy benefits stormwater management and community character.
Councilors asked the commission for help educating private property owners about treatments and for a list of priority trees and estimated costs. The council received the commission's report and voted to place it on file.
