HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-08-TREE-min Draft Document
Dec 12, 2017
Minutes
Special Meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee, Dec 8, 2017, 3 - 5pm
Location: Reed Room, Town Offices Building
Attendees: John Frey(Chair), Anne Senning,Jewel Kuljian, Gerry Paul, Nancy Sofen, Jim Wood
Scribe: James Wood.
Agenda: Review 2017 Spring and Fall Planting
We discussed concerns regarding the 2017 Spring and Fall Tree Planting and required
remedies/commitments to address these concerns.
Tree Committee Observations/Concerns
Spring 2017 tree planting:
1. Late start to planting (May 22, 2017) due to late issuance of Provide/Plant RFQ and
decision process. Bare root trees could not be ordered due to lateness of RFQ issuance.
2. Three trees remained to be planted on July 4th, 2017. The later trees are planted in the
spring the higher the probability they will have leafed out and the lower the probability
of survival.
3. List of trees planted by location requested by the Tree Committee not provided (nor lists
requested from previous years). These lists are required not only to update the tree
inventory, but also to monitor tree health and survival rates.
Fall 2017 tree planting (to December 8):
1. The Tree Warden committed to identify and stake planting locations by the first week in
November; this was not completed until weeks later.
2. Trees were received November 1, 2017. Tree planting was still not complete as of
December 8, 2017. The longer the interval between which bare root trees are dug and
the trees are planted the lower the probability of survival. The fall planting consisted of
bare root trees.
3. Communication
a. The Tree Committee provided East Lexington tree planting sites (56 locations,
with species ) on Aug 12, 2017 to the Tree Warden, and again on October 21.
Fewer than 10 sites were staked by early November. Updates on issues/status of
East Lexington tree planting were not communicated to the Tree Committee.
b. Spreadsheet containing locations identified for setback/street tree planting not
provided to contractor on a timely basis.
c. Lack of timely response to requests for status setback/street tree planting.
Required Remedies/Commitments
1. The Tree Committee will provide a list of tree species to the Tree Warden from which an
order for trees to be planted can be made.
2. Tree Committee members will be involved in identification of specific tree planting
locations only on an exception basis. The Tree Warden will have full responsibility for
identifying planting locations (including those originating from resident requests),
staking the sites and coordinating the Dig Safe function (with the contractor if one is
used). These activities will be completed prior to the scheduled arrival of the trees.
3. A contract for planting of trees will be signed prior to the scheduled arrival of the trees.
The contract will specify that the trees will be planted one week after they arrive. If the
current practice of contracting for both purchase and planting of trees is continued, the
contract must be signed early enough to ensure availability of the desired tree species.
4. The Tree Warden will provide to the Tree Committee a list containing the location of
each tree planted, its species, and date of planting.
Next Steps
1. Obtain concurrence of the Tree Warden.
2. Obtain the concurrence of DPW management.