HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-04-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Committee
Meeting minutes
June 4, 2024
Meeting was conducted via Zoom.
Present: Barbara Tarrh, Rachel Summers, Jim Wood, Nancy Sofen, Tim Lee. A quorum of the
Tree Committee was not present.
Called to order at 1:05 pm
1. Minutes of previous meeting not voted on because there was no quorum.
2. Revisit mandated planting / acceptable planting sites discussion.
a. Distance behind wires for large trees should be 25’ (Eversource says 30’ for
largest trees, which is excessive for some trees on our large shade tree list)
b. If solar panels being installed on front of house, the largest tree that will not at
maturity shade those panels should be planted. Medium-sized trees up to 40’
would be acceptable.
3. Discussion of tree protection regulations.
a. Regulations should state clearly that a Tree Protection Plan is always required if
any setback trees are retained, even if there are no trees being removed. Also,
the Tree Protection Plan must be updated to reflect any changes to the project
site plan.
b. How to convey that the earlier professionals are engaged, the earlier decisions
can be made that preserve trees (shifting building siting, deciding which trees to
save)? Ideally, Tree Protection Plan and root pruning happens before tree permit
is issued.
c. Need to engage IT, DPW, Building Dept. on sequence of submissions and
approvals.
d. Tim presented markups of Figures 13, 14, 15 from the Tree Management Manual
and also sent an article on Root Pruning. See attachments/ links. Following
comments will be incorporated into modified figures and into section VIII of the
TMM.
e. The area inside the fence will be called the Tree Save Area. Ideally this would
be at the drip line or at a circle with radius of 1’ for each 1” DBH, whichever is
larger.
f. If necessary, the Tree Save Area will be reduced by root pruning (which
effectively reduces the critical root zone) prior to fence installation. The goal
should be to preserve at least 70% of the critical root zone, and never less than
50%. (Must resolve lack of clarity and a discrepancy between this and figure 14
markup)
g. Fence: 5’ chain link or welded wire, with stable metal stakes.
h. Signage in English and Spanish to say “TREE SAVE AREA - KEEP OUT”
i. Nothing should be stored inside fencing
j. 2x4s around trunk if there is a limited Tree Save Area and there’s a possibility
that equipment may hit trunk or branches. Not required everywhere, and left to
arborist to recommend.
k. Tunneling is preferred, though it is expensive and not always possible.
l. Root pruning is required any time work will be done inside the critical root zone,
and must be done only by or under direct supervision of certified arborist, before
excavation.
i. Expose roots using air spade or hydro excavation
ii. Cut roots cleanly (remove no more than 40% of roots)
iii. Backfill immediately
iv. Water
v. If can’t backfill that day, cover with wet burlap.
m. If grade change needed within critical root zone, root prune first.
n. Some trees sensitive to root pruning at certain times of year - arborist should
provide recommendation. Late fall is best for beech, while maple and oak
tolerate pruning well any time.
o. Water weekly 15 minutes with hose (soil penetration too difficult to measure)
p. Section VIIB10: a. Add “whenever possible”; b. Strike “fertizile”; c. rework to refer
to Figure 14; d. Strike “dry stone”.
q. Add section on plant health care before and after root pruning.
r. Nancy to try to incorporate these changes into figures and section VIIIB for
review at next meeting.
4. Meeting adjourned 2:27 pm.