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Shade Tree Commission reviews Carpenter Street planting plan, engineers seek species list
Summary
At its July 15 meeting the Athens Shade Tree Commission reviewed preliminary engineering plans for Carpenter Street and two West State Street plantings, discussed species selection from the approved list and accessibility concerns, and learned contractors expect to plant in spring; further field marking and a walk-through were requested.
At a July 15 meeting without a quorum, the Athens Shade Tree Commission reviewed preliminary engineering plans to plant about 16 trees along Carpenter Street and two additional trees on West State Street.
The chair said engineers had sketched the tree locations and “they were just asking for a list of species,” and that landscapers had indicated they could source most of the requested stock. Commission members noted the list includes a couple of elm hybrids and other approved cultivars; exact cultivars and final sizes remained to be confirmed.
Why it matters: the planting will alter the sidewalk zone and requires balancing canopy goals with pedestrian clearance. A committee member raised accessibility concerns, asking whether a 6-foot clear path would remain for strollers and wheelchairs. The chair said the commission measured pathways during a walk-through and expects a minimum 6-foot clear line, but acknowledged a few spots along the shaded stretch near Stimson would be tighter.
Details: commissioners discussed tree-pit geometry and planting timing. The chair said pits would generally extend back from the curb and estimated pit layouts “like 10 feet long by 2 feet deep” where space permits, although those dimensions were not specified on the engineering PDF. Contractors plan to mark the final pit locations in a field walk-through before concrete work is finished; the chair said she will try to attend that marking to confirm placements prior to finalization.
Tom, who is handling procurement coordination, reminded the commission that a related grant requires purchase of trees by November; “they just have to purchase them,” he said, noting purchase satisfies the grant timeline even if planting occurs in spring.
What’s next: because no quorum was present, the commission did not take formal votes. Members said they will circulate species selections from the approved tree list, monitor landscaper sourcing, and schedule a site walk before the contractor finalizes pit locations.
