Tree Board

Tree Board minutes 07/24/23 1 Morgantown Tree Board (MTB) Minutes, meeting of July 24, 2023 1. ATTENDANCE: MTB members Dan Brown, Matt Cummons, Greg Dahle, Chelsea Hilty, Secretary Jon Weems, and Chair Dave Barnett, City Council liaison Joe Abu- Ghannam, City Arborist Kaitlynn Deskins, Urban Landscape Director Marchetta Maupin, and intern Matthew Hobson. D. Barnett opened the meeting at 4:34 PM and noted that a quorum was present. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: D. Brown moved and G. Dahle seconded that the minutes of the April 24 meeting be approved as amended. The motion carried unanimously. 3. CITY STAFF REPORT: K. Deskins noted problems with the format of the tree inventory that required the actions of another city employee to correct. She said she hoped to add height to the listed traits. M. Maupin announced that the front of the Public Safety Building would be revamped. Changes were expected to include removal of the above-ground planters. She also said the regional meeting of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) would be held at the Waterfront October 2 and 3. Sessions were to include workshops on planting and climbing. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Review Approved Tree & Shrub List. It was agreed that the proposed changes based on the Louisville model should result in a much more useful list. Possible changes included columns for significant structural trait descriptions and native range, and elimination of obscure species and cultivars uncommon in the nursery trade. The bottom line was that MTB members would review printed copies tree by tree. Woodburn Community Center Tree Recommendations. M. Maupin reported that no plan for hardscape development of the lower part of the property yet existed, so MTB should not consider landscaping there that might run afoul of future parking lot or retaining wall etc. construction. It was agreed that available MTB members would meet at the site with M. Maupin, and interns M. Hobson and Abby Bauer at 10:00 AM Monday, July 21 to brainstorm plantings and mark locations on and near the slope. D. Brown distributed a list he had made of trees and shrubs to consider for planting there. 5. NEW BUSINESS: Pleasant Street Streetscape. M. Maupin distributed plans showing 22 unidentified trees. It was agreed that trees with a columnar or narrowly ovate crown shape might be best. Narrow cultivars of Stewartia, tree lilac, sweetgum, hornbeam, and blackgum were mentioned as possibilities.  Tree Board minutes 07/24/23 2 6. OPEN DISCUSSION: None. 7. NEXT MEETING: 4:30 Monday, August 28 in the Public Safety Building. 8. ADJOURN: J. Weems moved, and D. Brown seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously at 6:00. Respectfully submitted, ______________________ Jon Weems, Secretary