The Shade Tree and Beautification Commission voted to formalize an invasive-removal program that the group has been operating informally for the past three years.

The proposal, introduced during new business, would make the removal and follow-up native planting work an official commission program and help the city earn Tree City USA growth award points. Commission members said formalization will also help when applying for outside funding; Zane Meiksel noted the city has applied for a grant with International Paper to help address invasive Callery pears and other species on public property.

Commission discussion clarified the limits of local authority: city crews can remove invasive trees on city-owned properties and rights-of-way, but the city cannot remove trees on private property without owner consent. Members discussed possible incentives for private-property work, including vouchers or subsidized replacement trees if homeowners remove invasives themselves. One participant summarized the operational commitment: the city has committed to removing 80 invasive trees per year from city-owned properties over the next 10 years and cited roughly 791 public trees within rights-of-way and on public land as the inventory baseline.

A motion to adopt the formal invasive-removal program was moved and seconded and then carried by roll-call vote. The commission emphasized that formalization does not immediately increase local expenditures for private-property work but makes the program a recognized part of the commission's portfolio when seeking grants and private partners.

What’s next: staff will continue pursuing grants (including International Paper and other partners) and will report back to the commission on grant outcomes and any pilot programs for private-property incentives.

Direct quote: "We are doing it already... we're just saying, if you're committed to doing this, maybe we can get you a free or lower-cost tree to incentivize it," one member said of the voucher/subsidy idea.