CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14,
2003
REGULAR MEETING
5:30 P.M.
Mr. Malone explained to the students the purpose of the Tree Commission. Richard Adams asked why he didn’t see many Weeping Willows around town. Mr. Malone explained that they grow real well by water and have very shallow roots so if you plant them anywhere near water the roots will go straight to the water including wrapping around pipes and can become a nuisance around houses and buildings.
Street Tree Report
Mr. Ellis stated that he is still in the process of planting the trees for this spring. He stated there were some setbacks. Mr. Malone asked what setbacks he had encountered. Mr. Ellis stated there were some substitutions in the beginning, two problems before they even got started. He continued that a couple of days ago the arborist quit and the other foreman quit, but the work is coming along. Mr. Malone asked about how far along they were at this point. Mr. Ellis stated a little more than halfway finished. Mr. Ellis stated that in the Meadows they are still supposed to replace dead trees and straighten up some of the ones planted last year.
Mr. Malone asked if we were storing some of our trees by the wastewater plant back by the new section. Mr. Ellis stated that yes, they were. Mr. Malone asked if anyone had looked at the planted trees there, the pines and some of the spruces? Mr. Malone stated that the bagworms are really decimating some of those. Mr. Wiseman stated that he knows you have to physically pull off all the bagworms and that there isn’t the personnel to do it. Mr. Wiseman continued that they might utilize some of their summer help when they start. Mr. Wiseman stated they also want to screen our west side and south side of the plant from the houses. Mr. Wiseman stated that using forsythia mixed with pines trees as a natural break and thinning out some of the pine trees that are there will help. Mr. Wiseman continued that the pine trees are healthy, they are just too close together and can’t spread out and the area definitely needs some attention. Mr. Ellis stated that hopefully the cold weather this winter would kill some of the bagworms. Mr. Malone stated that he hopes that with the wet conditions we’ve had, we may continue to see dampening of the gypsy moth, at least slowing the spread this way.
Ms. Cleary stated that it looked like a lot of work had been done at the arboretum. Mr. Ellis stated that they were trying to keep up with things there, but Keller Farms have not planted the flowerbeds yet. Ms. Cleary asked if there were any news on that. Mr. Wiseman stated that they may have asked Keller Farms to do a few things of an emergency nature, so they may be short some personnel, but he will double check that.
A. Street Tree Brochure.
Mr. Wiseman stated it is moving slowly. He continued that he has spoken with Jeff Krause and will be working with him on getting the brochure done. Ms. Cleary asked if they had the old draft. Mr. Wiseman stated that they do have the old draft with updates from the past few months from Mr Ellis. Ms. Milnor asked if the committee members would have an opportunity to look at the brochure before it is published. Mr. Wiseman stated that they would.
B. Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Mr. Malone questioned what language finally ended up in the ordinance. He continued that the last Safety meeting there were discussions about making some adjustments so it would read better and also to clarify the effective date of when this would take effect. Mr. Malone asked if there was a possibility of getting a copy of the ordinance before the third reading. Frank Wiseman stated that we could get them a copy of the ordinance.
C. Tree Preservation Update.
Mr. Malone stated that there is not much more to report from the last minutes. He continued that there is not much change with the pending developments.
D. Arboretum.
Mr. Malone stated that a few of the pending items are the finished work from Keller Landscaping, the plaque, the Arbor Day tree, the signs that we’re working on getting out there to identify some of the trees. He continued that the commission talked about putting together some sort of a layout map to include on the website for people to find their way around. Ms. Cleary stated that they had talked about getting a sign for the Arboretum with some of the rules. Ms. Cleary continued that she thought the city has a company that they usually order from. Mr. Wiseman stated that they would just need to put down the wording they would want and the sign could be made however they like. Ms. Cleary stated that wood or the plastic that looks like wood is preferred. Mr. Wiseman stated that in most of the parks there are signs identifying things and we will probably maintain that same type of sign. Mr. Wiseman continued that we would want something with the rules for the Arboretum. Mr. Wiseman asked if there were a list of rules already? Ms. Cleary stated they’ve just talked about it, nothing has been written. Mr. Malone asked if they would need to check with Steve Carr or is there just some standard wording. Mr. Wiseman said that he would check with Steve Carr.
Mr. Malone asked if the plaque was on order yet for the past Arbor Day and whether the Brownie Troop # was included. Mr. Wiseman stated that the plaque has been ordered and the Brownie Troop # is on it.
Mr. Ellis updated the Commission on the list of trees that are in the Arboretum. Ms. Cleary asked whether Keller Farms could be contacted to see where they are on the work. Mr. Wiseman stated he would talk with Keller Farms.
Mr. Wiseman gave copies of the Urban Forestry fund to the members. He stated they could review it and make comments at next months meeting if needed.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
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Frank Wiseman, Service Department Director