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Poulsbo Tree Board outlines year-end tree-planting push, $7,164 available for purchases
Summary
The Poulsbo Tree Board agreed to prioritize heat‑island sites and waterfront parcels for late‑year tree purchases, reviewed species choices (serviceberry, vine maple, paperbark maple) and discussed storage and maintenance if trees are bought before planting season; a budget snapshot showed $7,164.72 on hand.
Speaker 3, a Poulsbo Tree Board member coordinating plantings, told the board it had roughly $7,164.72 available earlier that day and recommended keeping a $500 cushion for pending invoices and contingencies. "We're sitting with $7,164.72 as of when I pulled this report earlier," Speaker 3 said.
The board focused on buying trees before the end of the year so purchases count toward Tree City application requirements and LTAC spending deadlines, even if planting occurs after January. Members agreed purchases must be staged so trees are physically on hand before Dec. 31, and they flagged storage and interim maintenance as practical issues the city must solve.
Site priorities are heat‑island locations and several city‑owned parcels near Central Market, Nelson Park and multiple stormwater detention ponds. Speaker 1, a tree board member who led the integrated data analysis, urged the group to prioritize places where canopy gains will most reduce urban heat. "I used that to focus on the city owned places where we could do planting projects," Speaker 1 said.
On species and installation, the board favored pollinator‑friendly and mostly native options. Serviceberry and vine maple were discussed as primary options; paperbark maple and weeping Alaska yellow cedar were listed as other choices. Members also discussed the value of purchasing larger‑caliper stock when budget allows to accelerate canopy benefits.
Planting practice guidance included using higher‑quality mulch and installing a six‑foot diameter mulch ring around new trees to protect roots and reduce mower damage. Speaker 7 noted problems with hydrophobic decorative mulch and recommended arborist‑grade material around newly planted stock.
Next steps: staff will confirm whether purchased trees can be stored on city property, contact Public Works about planting around detention ponds, and return with a sourcing and procurement plan. The board discussed a possible allocation of roughly $3,000 for near‑term plantings after pending invoices are settled and contingency amounts are reserved.
