Oakdale Tree Board to replace Scott Carver buckthorn-removal event with community-focused activities

City of Oakdale staff told the Tree Board on Jan. 20, 2026 that the City Council asked the board to consider alternatives to the Scott Carver buckthorn removal event because of low participation and concerns about physical demands.

"...primarily just because of low participation throughout the community and then... some concerns with the physical capabilities of different people to do that event," said Corey, the board's staff liaison, asking members to bring alternative options to the March meeting.

Board members offered several replacement ideas during the discussion: Mike Bender suggested a clean-up and landscape refresh at the Discovery Center to make the site more inviting; another member proposed partnering with groups already using the site (such as scout troops or 5K organizers) so events do not conflict; Dallas proposed an instructional tree-pruning class that combines expert-led pruning with volunteer brush removal; others suggested producing an instructional video paired with the annual tree giveaway and staffing a regular table at the farmers market to meet residents where they already go.

Corey said staff would circulate follow-up materials and that the board would return in March prepared to choose a single event or program to include in the work plan and send it to council for finalization.

No formal vote or final decision was made at the Jan. 20 meeting; board members agreed to continue brainstorming and to bring proposals and partner ideas to the next meeting.