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Town of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
June 9, 2011
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on June 9, 2011, 7:30-9:30 a.m. at
the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. The full TC membership was present --
John Frey (chair), Jewel Kuljian, Gerry Paul, James Wood, Anne Senning, Nell Walker, and Karen
Longeteig -- plus David Pinsonneault (Operations Manager), Chris Filadoro (Supt. Public Grounds/Tree
Warden) and Jane Beswick (Friends of Trees).
The meeting acted on the following items:
1
. Karen Longeteig was appointed as scribe, and the minutes of May 12, 2011 were approved as corrected.
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DPW Tree crewman Joel Custance invited all to attend the ALB lecture on June 16, and new Tree Warden
Chris Filadoro was warmly welcomed.
2a.Tree Warden David Pinsonneault ’s report
(Outgoing) :
There have been the following Tree removal applications and tree activity since 10/1/01:
Total sites: 750 Total closed: 656
Total to plant: 2286 Total planted: 1632
Total to remove: 946 Total removed: 803
Since 08/04/08, a total 3,355 inches in permitted diameter were removed and a total $33,550 in fees were
collected.
b. Planting sites
: Jim Wood reported that the Elks Club will accept two off-berm flowering trees to be
planted. Silverbells are a possibility to plant fall 2011 or spring 2012. The three dead sourwoods on
Merriam Street cannot be replaced now, but will be replanted in the fall. In Lincoln Park near the new
soccer fields, Dave is getting the soil tested in the parking lot area. The soil is very poor, so they are
planning to build up berms and create better spots to accept some trees in the fall. A work date for TC
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members to review planting sites on Mass Ave was set for Tuesday, June 14, 8:00 a.m.
c. Nursery and Outplanting:
There are 55 nursery trees, 6 donations, and 2 salvaged trees to be outplanted
this spring before hot weather starts. To date 18 nursery trees and the 8 donations/salvages have been set
out.
The Lindens, which were outplanted after 4 years in the root bags, had compacted rootballs and are now
distressed, even though the watering truck is out daily. The DPW crew recommends outplanting in 3 or even
2 years.
Girdling is a problem in the bags – should we drop the use of bags and use a digging spade after 2 years?
The DPW got a new spade attachment last year so this may be possible. Discussion to be continued.
During a short drought the nursery tree rootballs were terribly dry, so the watering schedule was upped from
once to twice a week, and Dave wants the whole nursery irrigated 72 hours in advance of digging.
Fall Outplanting: in Fall 2011 the DPW will contract out the street tree planting as there will be 127 trees to
move out of the nursery (the rest of the 3-yr trees) before they risk being overmatured.
Nursery Inspection Rota: Gerry Paul suggested that a weekly inspection of the nursery by a Tree Committee
member might be helpful, and volunteered to organize a rota by email.
Residential abutter notification: Chris suggested that a form or doorknob hanger be left at the house nearest
the new street tree, saying that “such-and-such a tree” will be planted. Chris and Dave will draft this.
Street tree watering: Chuck Walton felt that the encircling buried watering tube was implicated in the death
of a Tuliptree planted on the embankment behind CVS about five years ago. When it was removed, the roots
were seen to be girdled around inside the tube. As an alternative watering method, there is the water
injection from the watering truck, and the “3 short tubes” method. Dave Pinsonneault asked that Jim Wood
and the DPW management and crew hash out a final planting and watering protocol; Jim had a draft of one
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dated May 7 based on previous discussions, that he passed out to the members.
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Misc: The irrigation system was updated and repaired on May 24. The last of the spring 2011 nursery
inplanting (10 magnolias) was accomplished. The nursery was sprayed for Winter Moth this spring. All the
5 Basswoods died, two on Winchester Drive and three at Harrington (there was a delay in planting them off
the truck). Gerry Paul asked if Tree Committee members could do some pruning of new street trees; Chris
Filadoro suggested that we make lists of where they are; possibly DPW crew could do it when time is
available, or it could be done by volunteers. Chris asked that this be reported by e-mail to this address:
cfiladoro@Lexingtonma.gov
dELCA lecture
. : Dave’s lecture for the East Lexington Civic Association was well received and will be
uploaded to our website.
e & f.Commemorative Trees:
The ELCA will write us a check for the Jim Barry and Gene Beauchemin
trees, according to John Frey. Jane Beswick will put a blurb in the paper. Jeanne Krieger’s ‘honor’ tree in
Tower Park, which died, has been replaced.
g.Health of 2010 Arbor Day tree:
This Elm is suffering; Matt Foti has been asked to look at it. This
year’s ‘Discovery’ Elm got hit by Winter Moth.
3.Off-Berm Planting:
Jewel Kuljian has begun developing this program. The committee agreed with her
Front-Yard Planting”
that “is a less confusing name that will be used henceforth. She will write up an
MinutemanColonial Times.
announcement for the and the The public will be told to call the DPW and get
put on the list. They will be given a choice of the species available, and sign an agreement. Gerry suggested
giving them a deadline.
Jewel distributed copies of a draft “Letter to the Homeowner” about a front-yard tree; it was changed to
reflect that watering the tree is the homeowner’s responsibility.
Friends of Trees, Commemorative Trees issues
4. : Brochures: Nell Walker has about 100 left, but they
will need to have the Dave/Chris name and email addresses changed either by hand or by a sticker.
The two Mayo trees in Lincoln Park were treated by Matt Foti for scale infestation.
5&6.
No action due to lack of time.
There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded.
Respectfully submitted, Karen Longeteig, Scribe
Next regular meeting: July 14, 2011,
7:30 a.m. at Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125.