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Montreat Tree Board schedules hemlock inventory, outlines Arbor Day plans and discusses $10,000 donation
Summary
At the March 10 meeting the Tree Board set a March 30 hemlock inventory walk with HRI scientists, reviewed an extended Tree City application deadline (March 31), and discussed a potential $10,000 Swannanoa Valley Wild contribution for plantings; board members also planned Arbor Day staffing and outreach.
The Montreat Tree Board used its March 10 meeting to set several near-term programs and outreach items, including a March 30 hemlock inventory, Arbor Day planning and consideration of a $10,000 donation earmarked for plantings.
Board members reported that HRI (Hemlock Restoration Initiative) cannot staff a spring treatment day but will send a scientist on March 30 to walk the area from the gate and GPS-mark and assess hemlocks on MRA and town property; the March 30 visit is an assessment and inventory day, not a treatment day. The board said this inventory will inform a comprehensive Montreat hemlock strategy and that HRI and town staff will decide which trees need treatment.
The board also said the Tree City application deadline was extended to March 31 and that members have time to finish the application. Members discussed staffing and layout for Arbor Day (tables for Landcare, vendor check-in and the tree board), a treasure-tree walk, a likely vendor list and potential tree giveaways in partnership with Asheville GreenWorks. Members agreed to coordinate publicity, staffing and a single point person for resident inquiries at the tree-board table.
On funding, Swannanoa Valley Wild told the board it would earmark $10,000 for Montreat plantings but asked to see the Flat Creek Crossing grant document before endorsing the payment. Board members discussed whether that $10,000 would be best used for the Flat Creek Crossing project and agreed to circulate the grant documentation to Swannanoa Valley Wild prior to final commitment.
Other routine items: the board heard brief inventory/maintenance updates from public works, discussed potential liability from an informal fire pit on town property and signaled continued coordination with the Landcare committee and MRA on inventory work.
Next steps: the March 30 hemlock inventory will be open to volunteers; the board will finalize Arbor Day staffing and publicity in advance of the council proclamation vote this week and will circulate grant paperwork to Swannanoa Valley Wild.
