Yamhill committee weighs tree strategy: root-control systems, watering and grants

Yamhill's Economic Development Committee spent substantial time on Nov. 4 reviewing options for downtown street trees, including technical installation methods to limit root damage, first-year watering and maintenance costs, species selection and how tree projects could be coordinated with transportation planning and grants.

Members introduced Rob Sloan, identified as a local nursery owner, as a resource on species and planting systems. The committee discussed modern root-control techniques such as deep root-directing baskets and brick-and-sand planting rings that allow roots to grow downward and help preserve sidewalks. Members noted that many urban street trees show their most significant sidewalk impacts near the 20-year mark and that planning for a staged replacement schedule can reduce large, simultaneous infrastructure costs.

On maintenance, the committee heard that young street trees typically need about 10 gallons of water per tree per day during the first year, and that watering bags or weekly filling by public-works crews are common solutions. Members emphasized the labor cost of watering (truck time, staff hours) and discussed volunteer or donation models to offset ongoing maintenance. Committee members also discussed selecting species suitable to the valley climate and noted that hybrids and dwarf varieties can reduce water use and root disturbance.

Committee members tied the tree discussion to the Transportation System Plan (TSP) work staff is preparing, noting that projects listed in the TSP and associated grants may create opportunities to fund streetscape and tree work. Members recommended compiling a species list, reviewing examples from comparable towns, and coordinating tree installation with larger sidewalk or utility work to avoid repeated street excavations.

Next steps: committee members agreed to collect tree-species lists and case examples for the Dec. 2 meeting and asked staff to confirm whether the TSP or pending grant cycles could cover tree-installation costs or planting infrastructure.