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Tree Commission outlines Arbor Day plans, seedling giveaways and heritage-tree program
Summary
Ellis Seaport, chair of the Moscow Tree Commission, presented the commission's 2025 accomplishments and plans including Arbor Day events, seedling giveaways, continued participation in Tree City USA (30th year) and a heritage-tree nomination program; commissioners proposed a tree-service certification test and discussed partnerships with the University of Idaho.
Ellis Seaport, chair of the Moscow Tree Commission, presented the commission's 2025 annual report to the Moscow City Council on Nov. 3, describing outreach, planting events and plans to expand education and certification efforts.
Seaport summarized this year's activities: an Arbor Day celebration at Berman Creekside Park in partnership with Paradise Creek Regional High School and the Rotary Club; two farmers-market outreach events with seedling giveaways (spring and fall); and a variety of utility-billing newsletter articles on tree care. He reported the city secured Tree City USA recognition for the 30th year and a growth award for the 24th year. He also highlighted the heritage tree program started in 2023 and invited nominations via the city website.
On future work, the commission proposed developing a tree-service certification exam based on the ISA certified arborist study guide to test contractor knowledge of laws, safety and pruning education. Seaport said the commission is exploring a joint Arbor Day planting with the University of Idaho and emphasized long-term maintenance: "We don't want to just plant trees. We want to grow trees," he said.
Councilors praised the commission's outreach and asked procedural questions about permitting. Staff liaison David Schott explained the city maintains a permit to remove and a permit to plant in the public right-of-way, noting removal permits generally include a replacement requirement if room exists along the property frontage. Schott offered to walk residents through the permitting process and said permit materials and his contact information are available on the city website.
