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Oshkosh urban-forestry update: pruning cycles, species diversity and a plan for Tree City USA celebrations
Summary
City staff reported on a five-year tree-pruning cycle covering roughly 2,000 trees per cycle, noted species-concentration risks, and outlined Tree City USA programming for the city's 45th year, including a Read-With-An-Arborist series and a neighborhood recognition program.
Travis, speaking as the parks/urban-forestry staff lead, briefed the board on pruning, species composition and strategic planning for the city’s urban forest on Jan. 12.
He said the city follows an approximate five-year pruning cycle and inspects roughly 2,000 trees per cycle. "We have approximately 90 different species...57% of those of our population is made up by crab apples, maples, and Japanese tree lilacs," Travis said, and he recommended diversifying future plantings to avoid future synchronized decline as species age.
Travis also summarized draft recommendations to consolidate tree-related rules across municipal code (chapter 26 and related street-reconstruction and development codes) to remove discrepancies and to consider a stronger penalty system for code enforcement.
Oshkosh will mark its Tree City USA milestone this year with events including a Read-With-An-Arborist series beginning April 16, seedling giveaways, and a pilot neighborhood recognition program that would require neighborhood tree committees, an educational program, a hands-on service project, an Arbor Day event and a 501(c)(3) partnership for sustainability. Staff said they applied for the Tree City USA Growth Award based on staff training and planting activity in the past year.
Board members provided input and asked for outreach to neighborhoods on the recognition program; staff said they will continue planning and return with further details.
