Shade Tree group outlines invasive pear removals, homeowner outreach and replacement-planting timeline

Chair opened the meeting by moving routine agenda items to the next session after noting several members had not received minutes. The meeting’s substantive business centered on tree-removal and restoration plans.

Staff member (speaker 3) said the commission has an active contract to remove invasive understory at Ariel Foundation Park’s Meadows and that crews cleared about "4 or 5 acres of invasives over there." The staff member said the understory was cleared now and that crews will return after the bat-roosting season to plant low-mow native grasses and rework the site to function as a meadow rather than a wooded stand.

On street-tree removals, participants discussed Bradford Callery pear trees along sections of Mount Vernon Avenue and South Edgewood Road. Staff reported an estimated "57 or so" right-of-way pears identified in a prior inventory; the staff member said the commission has requests out for quotes and, "once we do and if we determine we're able to fund that, we'll send letters out to homeowners" whose properties are adjacent to trees identified for removal and replacement with native trees.

When asked how homeowners will know whether a tree on or near their property is slated for removal, staff said the city does not mark trees ("We don't mark trees.") and clarified that any blue dots visible on trees are markings placed by the power company (AEP), not by the city. Staff offered to provide an internal map of trees identified for removal to residents who request it.

Staff described the replacement timeline: removed trees are normally planted in the following planting season (remove in summer, replant next spring). The group also reviewed past work: staff said roughly 71 invasive trees were removed last year and that replacements are ongoing.

Volunteers and the Bee City program were credited for planting and seed collection. Staff said volunteers planted "over 400 bare root seeds or saplings" recently, noting a commonly accepted survivability target of about 10% for seed/seedling projects, compared with much higher survivability when purchasing mature trees from contractors.

The chair said several site-specific plans remain subject to permission from landowners and institutions; for one school parcel the chair said he plans to add three trees in front of a Mount Vernon City Schools parcel and three more on the career center campus, pending school approval.

The meeting closed with routine scheduling items. Committee members agreed to continue outreach and to put outstanding minute approvals and any remaining TCP (tree-planting) items on the next agenda.

The commission did not record any formal ordinances or funding approvals in this session; staff said they are seeking quotes and will move forward with homeowner notification only if funding is secured.