Tree Board - Regular Meeting

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING Operations Center - Assembly Room | 305 Williams St. | Hendersonville NC 28792 Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – 2:00 PM MINUTES MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: MAC BRACKETT, ARIAS CRISMOLI, MARY DAVIS, GLEN LANGE, BECA DOLL, JOE PEISO MEMBERS ABSENT: LAUREN REDFERN 1. CALL TO ORDER 2:06 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Glen Lange Second: Mary Smith 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 17, 2023 Tree Board Minutes Motion: Joe Peiso Second: Mary Smith 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Welcome New Members - Arias Crismoli B. Public Relations Update – Mary Jo Padgett, See attachment for report Stream Walk rescheduled for March 5 at 2:00. MC requested from Tree Board Members for Educational Talk at library on March 21st. C. Conditional Zoning Districts Motion: Glenn Lange Second: Joe Peiso Proposed Supplemental Tree Board Motion for 1202 Greenville Highway Development The developer has provided an article (HortTechology Journal) comparing tree growth and establishment of various sizes of transplanted trees. Based on that article, the developer is requesting to reduce the caliper of planted trees from 3-3 ½ inches to 2 inches for common space areas and to use 1.5 inch caliper trees for open space areas. There have been a number of research studies on the topic of tree growth rate and establishment for various caliper sizes at time of planting. These studies have come to different conclusions as indicated in the provided journal article. The journal author also recommends further research be done to provide better answers. We have discussed this issue in the past (with our two previous certified arborist members and now TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING – February 21, 2023 Page | 1  with our current certified arborist member) and concluded that the research conducted to date does not consistently show any dramatic growth rate increases or more effective establishment by favoring small caliper trees over larger calipers. We believe that using larger caliper trees, as long as they come from quality nursery stock and are properly planted and cared for, are effective in improving tree canopy more quickly, improving the landscaping of the development, and improves the chances of survivability of transplanted trees. The Tree Board recommends that trees planted in this development be a minimum of 2-2 ½ caliper inches. D. Tree Board Fund Community Foundation Mac Bracket will contact close out Tree Board fund with HCCF and funds will go to the Four Seasons Pollinator Bed project. Motion: Becca Doll Second: Glen Lange E. Garden Jubilee Speaker Series Becca Doll Volunteered to Speak on behalf of the Tree Board at Garden Jubilee 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Changes to City Ordinances/Zoning Concerning Trees – Glenn Lange B. Tree Board Memorandum to Council Planning Board just received the memo. C. Canopy Study Grant: Grant has been applied for and closes on March 1st. D. Pollinator Bed Traffic Island Four Seasons Boulevard Awarded and in process- Contract will be signed before next meeting. E. Glen Lange requested the Tree Board purchase a presentation style banner or vertical display for tabling at events. 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Staff Comments 7. ADJOURNMENT 2:59 With webinar to follow The City of Hendersonville is committed to providing accessible facilities, programs and services for all people in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Should you need assistance or an accommodation for this meeting please contact the City Clerk no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting at 6 REPORT TO: Hendersonville Tree Board TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING – February 21, 2023 Page | 2 Public Relations Report FROM: Mary Jo Padgett, PR Consultant RE: Publicity Report for February Board meeting DATE: February 21, 2023 TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING – February 21, 2023 Page | 3 Publicity/ events since last board meeting -- Web page update – A photo-oriented summary report of Tree Board activities in 2022 is now on the Tree Board web page of the City’s website at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/advisory-boards-commissions-and- committees/tree-board/tree-board-projects-activities. Thank-you note to City Council and Volunteers -- A modified version of the 2022 web-page report was sent to City Council members, Tom Wooten, Mark Stierwalt, John Connet, and Tree Board members with a note of thanks for support for Tree Board activities during the year. Sunday, Feb. 12. – Guided Walk Along an Award-Winning Streambank Restoration Project, 2 p.m. This event was cancelled due to weather … I coordinated with leader Mike Huffman and City website manager to announce the cancellation for those who had signed up. The event has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 5, at 2 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please sign up with Mac Brackett today. Educational Winter Program – PR for this program at 5 p.m. on March 21 at the Henderson County Library auditorium has been sent to early-deadline publications. See calendar item below. I would like two volunteers to assist me with greeting attendees at the door, and to know who will be MC/speaker for the Tree Board. I will assist the door greeters and speaker with details and instructions. Please let me know by early March if you can volunteer that evening. Pollinator Month Activities – I sent out the call-for-events press release to media. Deadline for event sponsors to sign up is March 15. This program is managed by Hendersonville Bee City USA. Upcoming Calendar of Events -- HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD CALENDAR 2023 Winter 2023 -- Yarn-Bombing Project. During the winter months, 7 trees near the Historic Train Depot on Maple St. are wrapped in decorative, colorful yarn by the STEAP organization. This art installation, approved by the Tree Board, looks to be finished. Drive by and take a look. TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING – February 21, 2023 Page | 4 Sunday, March 5 – Guided Walk Along an Award-Winning Stream Restoration Project. 2 p.m. Mike Huffman, City Stormwater Division Manager, will conduct a walkabout on the Allen Branch restoration project. (rescheduled after Feb. 12 event cancelled) Tuesday, March 21 – “Learn More about the NC Urban Forest Council.” 5 p.m., Henderson County Public Library auditorium, Washington St.. A public educational program at no charge. Mark Foster, arborist for the City of Asheville and former chair of the Council, will speak about the mission, purpose, and services of the state’s Urban Forest Council. (Mary Jo needs TB volunteers, see notes above.) Saturday. April 22 – Earth Day event on Main Street. Bee City USA and Tree Board will participate. Spring – NeighborWoods Tree Planting Projects Early May – Arbor Day Celebration May 27-28 – Garden Jubilee June – Pollinator Month. Bee City will create a calendar of events for the month. June 3 will be the Maple Street Farmer’s Market event. August – Bee Bold Festival at Bold Rock Cidery, Mills River. Bee City USA will have a booth at this event. Sept. 1-4 – NC Apple Festival Oct. 7 – Farm-City Day, Jackson Park. Bee City USA will participate. 97-3005. TREE BOARD - REGULAR MEETING – February 21, 2023 Page | 5