Tree Board discusses volunteer ivy removal, a fall tree giveaway and holly/Cherry-laurel outreach

Board members reviewed recent outreach work (an Ivy information graphic and a draft newsletter item) and discussed partnering opportunities for volunteer-based invasive-plant removal and a fall tree giveaway.

Members reported that the regional organization 300 Trees is organizing a large giveaway for multiple cities this fall and asked whether Lake Forest Park could secure roughly 100–200 trees for a local distribution and whether the Tree Board could help advertise and recruit volunteers. Staff said that stewardship partners such as the Stewardship Foundation could help manage volunteer logistics but cautioned that volunteer events raise questions about city liability and volunteer-management capacity; the board asked staff to contact partners and report back.

The board also discussed outreach content about invasive species removal, including holly and cherry laurel. One member who had removed a holly at Fiveacre Woods described how hollies re-sprout from deep roots and sometimes require systemic herbicide treatment, and another member cautioned about herbicide use near streams and urged checking product labels and local best practices. Members proposed including a species-focused article in the city newsletter and posting fuller guidance or longer-form material on the Tree Board web page for residents to reference.

Members suggested practical volunteer support ideas (periodic ivy-collection days, drop sites coordinated with existing pile/collection locations such as 5acre Wood and Grace Cole) and discussed disposal challenges (transport and cost). Staff agreed to follow up with the Stewardship Foundation and KCD about volunteer-management support, and the board asked for outreach copy and one-page handouts that could be used at events and in a mailed newsletter if the timeline aligns with the fall giveaway.