Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forestry topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts downtown tree plan to guide replanting and species choices
Summary
The City of Morris accepted a nine‑page downtown tree plan from the Tree Board recommending replanting 14 of 15 empty tree pits, species guidance favoring columnar varieties, and a sequence for replanting and maintenance.
The City of Morris council voted to accept a draft downtown tree plan prepared by the Tree Board. Sue Granger and board members presented the nine‑page plan, which includes an inventory of 82 downtown tree pits, a recommended sequence for replanting, and species guidance. The plan proposes planting trees in 14 of the 15 currently empty pits and abandoning one pit by the North Garage that is judged too constrained.
The plan emphasizes low-maintenance, columnar cultivars that better fit single-story facades, recommends pre-planting consultations with property owners, and includes pruning and maintenance strategies to avoid sidewalk displacement and obstructions to signs. The Tree Board noted that 56% of the pits contain the original tree and that poor pruning in recent years caused some crown issues; more than 70% of trees were rated in good to excellent condition in last fall’s inventory.
Council members commended the board for a thorough effort, asked questions about owners who do not want trees in front of their properties (the board said it would not plant there), and moved to adopt the plan. The motion carried by voice vote.
The council directed staff to proceed with outreach to downtown merchants and property owners as the plan is implemented and to coordinate stewardship through the tree stewards and park staff.
