Tree Board

Montpelier Tree Board Agenda for April 4, 2013 Meeting: 5:30pm Memorial Room, City Hall In attendance: John Snell, Sarah Hoffmeier, Ellen Doyle, Ken Libertoff, Jeff Schumann, Carole Naquin, Bob Troester, John Akielaszek, Kevin Casey, Geoff Beyer The meeting began with introductions and the motion and approval of March minutes. John Akielaszek offered to help get older and current minutes posted on the Tree Board website. Sarah H. will send him prior month’s minutes. John Snell has two bags of gypsum to apply to the tree wells. He estimates that 4lbs of gypsum is needed per well. He will coordinate volunteers for an upcoming date next weekend. The calcium sulfate (gypsum) displaces the sodium chloride without any negative effects to the tree or soil. Gypsum does not change the pH of the soil. Arbor Day is on Friday, April 26th. John S suggested planting a new tree at Union Elem and will coordinate. School is out of session that week, but he still thinks we could get some students to help. Ellen also suggested planting in the Peace Park. Geoff B agreed that bank stabilization is needed, but for his grant they need to be downtown (streetscape) locations. Kevin Casey mentioned a grant for bank stabilization as much of the beaver damage along the bike path has contributed to erosion along the river. John S. said that more fencing is needed to combat the beavers and will coordinate a volunteer day for this. Green Up Day is Saturday, May 4th. Geoff B could use 6 more sites to plant in order to fulfill one of his grant obligations. Stonecutters Way, the Co-op, and Barre Street were all suggested. The sites should be on private land with the homeowner’s permission. Permission can be given verbally. Carole mentioned the white house beside the Inn of Montpelier and that Carole Vasser would be the contact. Ellen suggested Terrace St. or Bailey St. John S. said that once you secure owner’s permission and have a site in mind to talk to him. Geoff updated on large tree pruning and asked for others to comment on trees that may need to be pruned. A maple tree at Union Elem was mentioned as in need of pruning. Sarah placed the order for 18 new trees (2 plums, 2 pears, 4 red oak, 2 sycamore, 2 hackberry, 2 northern white cedar, 2 beaked hazelnut, 2 blueberries, and 2 lilac) Jeff S. offered to pick them up in Berlin along with his order. The trees will most likely be planted in the nursery. Ken L. offered to help with fundraising efforts, but would like to work with someone for background information and on specific projects. John Snell said he would help. $500 grant is available through UVM extension (contact Caitlin?) regarding pests and trees. John A. sent some emails on emerald ash borer being a threat and will follow up. John A mentioned that the borer is already MA, NY, and Quebec, so it’s just a matter of time before it’s in VT. Transporting firewood is the way they spread most easily. It was discussed to do signs again (laminated with ribbon on the downtown ash trees) to help publicize. The farmer’s market has been successful. For the upcoming one, Sarah and John A suggested doing the raffle. Sarah will make the raffle tickets. Carole said that she would bring in large tree branch. April 6th Volunteers include John A., Carole, John S., Abby, Sarah, Bob, Shelley. John Snell will send out a schedule. The pruning workshops were well attended despite the cold weather. The next one is with Geoff April 13th 10am-noon (co-op). 8 people have signed up so far. The TD oak tree needs to be replaced and John Snell said that his emails to Treeworks have gone unanswered so that we should plan on doing the replacement. Jeff S. has visited the nursery and plans on returning to finish doing the inventory. John S. and Geoff will work together to eliminate trees that are too large to transplant out. Bob gave a brief update about Tree Inventory Software and passed around screen shots of his some of his work. John A mentioned the need to map EAB threatened trees or infected trees (once it arrives) as a useful tool. Geoff B. offered to continue to help with the inventory software. The meeting adjourned at 6:30pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 2nd, 2013 at 5:30pm.