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Prospect Forestation Board finalizes tree list for ArborFest and expands Canopy program plans
Summary
At its Aug. 14 meeting the board picked five species for ArborFest (dogwood, red maple, Princeton elm, white oak, southern magnolia), discussed ordering 50 trees, and reviewed the Canopy program's larger tree placements (about 20) and outreach strategies to boost homeowner participation.
The Prospect Forestation Board on Aug. 14 moved to finalize tree choices for the fall ArborFest and to press forward with the Canopy program of professionally planted, larger street trees for homeowners.
ArborFest selections: board members agreed to order roughly 50 small nursery stock trees to offer at ArborFest, distributed as five varieties of about 10 trees each. The recommended priority list included a Spring Grove (cultivar) or Kousa dogwood, a red maple (October Glory or Brandywine), a Princeton elm, a white oak, and a southern magnolia (Bracken's Brown Beauty or Little Gem as an alternative). The chair said the city had originally planned 75 trees but uptake was lower than expected; the board proposed 50 this season and discussed fallback options if cultivars are unavailable.
Canopy program and homeowner placements: the board reviewed Canopy program trees (larger, multi‑year stock) and reiterated plans to place approximately 20 larger trees for homeowner planting and replacement of older Bradford pears. Andrea and Mandy described the Canopy trees' performance and the benefits of professional planting: Mandy said her program trees (Zelkova, swamp white oak, serviceberry) grew quickly and recommended neighbor outreach. Andrea clarified cultivar issues and said the 'Espresso' coffee tree cultivar is seedless and will not create fruit litter.
Logistics and outreach: members discussed pairing ArborFest with the library book sale and KidsFest to boost attendance but acknowledged parking and logistics challenges; they agreed to consult stakeholders including the library (Sally Schneider), Town/City staff (Ron, Tony Dunham) and others before confirming dates. Members also discussed allowing homeowners to purchase two Canopy trees if demand is low, a flexibility the city was comfortable approving.
Next steps: staff will place orders for the ArborFest tree list subject to availability, confirm quantities for the Canopy program, coordinate scheduling with library and KidsFest organizers, and draft outreach materials (including a possible neighborhood letter) to boost participation.
