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Rockwell council removes two ash varieties from approved tree list amid disease concerns
Summary
Councilors voted unanimously to amend the city's tree-application approved-list, removing the Marshall seedless and Summit ash trees from the code and discussing grant opportunities to plant alternative species.
The council voted to amend the city's tree-application approved list to remove two ash varieties (Marshall seedless and Summit ash) after members pointed to disease risk and recommended updating the list to reflect the tree inventory and current recommendations.
Abby moved to remove the ash trees from the list; Tracy seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Council members said the approved-tree list in the city code currently still lists ash varieties and that removing them would reduce future plantings of a species vulnerable to disease.
Members discussed alternative recommended species (the tree inventory referenced Kentucky coffee tree, honey locust, tulip tree, buckeye, ginkgo, basswood and redbud) and compared the city's list with vendor catalogs and Iowa State/Arbor recommendations. Councilors also discussed an Iowa Department of Natural Resources- or other grant-funded tree-planting opportunity and logistics for watering and maintenance; staff said property owners would be responsible for watering newly planted trees.
Council asked staff to update the code language and circulate the revised list for future meetings so the council can monitor long-term planting strategy and any grant applications.
