Board flags hazardous ash tree and urges street-tree guidance for new subdivisions

Members of the Prospect Forestation Board flagged public-safety and long-term maintenance concerns during a virtual meeting, pointing to a large, long-dead ash tree on Sutherland Farm Drive and questionable street-tree choices in a new subdivision.

Andrea described a very large ash tree along the entrance to Sutherland Farm Drive that has been dead for an extended period and is now leaning toward the street and a nearby board fence over Innis Brook. “It’s gonna start dropping large limbs that could hit the road,” Andrea said, pressing the board to confirm whether property contacts, including Wells Farm, had been notified.

Board members acknowledged uncertainty about the current property contact and agreed to follow up: Lee (referenced by others) and Mike Thomas were suggested as possible contacts who might have updated information. Herb and others said the city owns some adjoining lots where dead trees have become visible after landscape trimming and asked staff to request removal if the tree is on city land.

Separately, Linda raised concerns about The Breakers subdivision’s choice of maples and pin oaks as street trees, which she said are inappropriate for the location and will likely damage sidewalks over time. Board members discussed developing a recommended street-tree list that could be provided to developers as permit guidance or incorporated into planning requirements, while noting that any enforceable regulation would require an ordinance or official planning approval.

The board agreed the topic should be a future goal: to produce a recommended list of right-of-way trees for use in permit reviews and developer guidance, and to pursue contacts for hazardous-tree removal where the city is responsible.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.