Tree Meeting w John Scherpenberg

I've setup time to talk with John S about our Tree program this Friday morning. I'm looking forward to finding common ground with John and Dan on this critical issue. John's email reply to my questions for Dan are below. I include only because the reply is so full of history and will be a good reference as we figure out a tree program.


Cortney
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All the tree work removals, trimming and planting has come from the general fund. This puts a major strain on the tree program when the funds are not available.
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>> In 1992 the village was faced to lay employees off and cut the tree program for 4 years. In 1996/97 they started the tree program again only working on the emergency trimming and removing but still quallifying for the Tree City USA Program.
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>> Every year the program changes based on need and general fund monies. Council did try to set up a budget several times to give $ 50,000 for tree work and planting.
>> Our cost are @ $80,000 for most years.
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>> This year the clerk was using monies from the Capital Improvement and the Lanscape fund set up by the previous Clerk. If the weather continues we will use up the funds faster. We still need to remove the Ash trees that are still showing stress. The Borer should not be fying and laying eggs after this month.
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>> I have Davey Tree Service working on several lists. There was several more items added to their list because of wind, drought damage on Chestnut St., Settle Rd. Mt Vernon. and Miami Bluff.
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>> The Service Department started trying to do work in house to help keep the cost down. This helped a little unless we get a major storm like Hurrican Ike.
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>> On time the village did follow the Eleanor Christie plan of 1956. The problem we came across is budget dealing with the electric companies and right of way space.
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>> Some of the trees are to tall for the area or will grow to large. We have to make sure they are planted 15 to 20 feet from driveways, some cases we go to 10 feet.
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>> We also listen to the resident's, some only like certain trees ion thier front yard.
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>> As you know the drought, ice storms, hurricanes and disease such as Dutch Elm and now the Emerald Ash Borer, have play a large factor in the program.
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>> Many Urban Foresters will tell you ist is best to plant all the same species on one street incase of disease. This will cut cost of removal and planting by keeping everything closer and not jumping from one street to another.
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>> The roll of thumb is for every tree removed you should plant two incase one dies. We do have the Mayors Tree Farm with several digfferent species. We would like them to get 2'' before we plant them in the village.
>> Several years ago we did start planting younger trees near trees we would remove in the future along Mariemont Ave. One problem is it raises the cost of removal because they have to be carefull not to damage the younger treee.
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>> The tree program is run by the Mayor, the Park Advisory Board and myself.
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>> I would like to meet or talk with you any time to answer any other questions and show you how the Tree City USA program works.
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