HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-26-TREE-300th-min
Town of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
January 26, 2012
A special meeting re Lexington 300th anniversary was held 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Samuel
Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. A quorum of six was present.
Members Present: John Frey (chair), Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne
Senning, James Wood; Friends of Trees members Jane Beswick and Marie Roberts;
Guest Jessie Steigerwald from Lexington 300 Anniversary Celebration Committee.
Absent: Deborah Mauger (Selectman Liaison), Nell Walker, Chris Filadoro.
Gerry Paul appointed scribe (Jim Wood took notes at end after Gerry left.)
Karen Longeteig handed out copies of some ideas she had (see attached). Discussion on
the items ensued with the following comments(following numbering of Karen's items).
1. Possibly do a drawing/raffle instead of /in addition to an auction.
2. We have to decide what we charge for medals -- do we want to make a profit. How
do we tie medals to tree planting? Medals should have unique number for tracking. We
should keep a tracking database of 300 trees which are planted. Could be tied to sale of
medallions. Ask those who plant trees to send picture which could be put on Lexington
300 web site. Can capture email address for Friends of Trees.
4. Added South Lexington Association and East Lexington Association to list.
5. Possibly combine cemetery tree walk with historical discussion regarding cemetery.
Also we could have short tree walks starting at Hastings Park location of the opening
ceremonies.
We continued discussion with the following:
6. Idea was raised on planting a 300th anniversary specimen tree on the Green and
planting one or more trees to start a second row on the Mass Ave side to complement the
existing two-row configurations on the Bedford Street and Harrington Rd.
7. We discussed how we could get school/student involvement.
• Plant 1 tree at each school
• Specimen tree on the Green. Grade 5 is studying the Battle Green
over time-Perhaps they could participate in the selection of the specimen tree
• Contact k-5 science coordinator: Karen McCarthy; perhaps she
could include a Tree section in the curriculum
8. How to make it easy for a homeowner to plant trees:
• Choose 1 species as the "tree of the year" so homeowner does not have to make a
decision. Provide links to web site/tree manual for homeowner who wants other
options.
• Tree Committee/Friends of trees members can provide advice to
homeowner on tree selection.
• Identify local nurseries who will stock "tree of the year" of
reasonable size (minimum 4-5 ft high and 1-2" diameter) and price
• Identify local arborists who will provide discounted prices for tree
Jessie Steigerwald
planting if homeowner does not want to plant themselves (
said that John Marquis mentioned he was interested).
There was consensus that picking a single "tree of the year" would provide a focus across
many of the activities. It might be valuable to continue the practice of designating a "tree
of the year" into the future.
9. To be placed on the Tree Committee’s web site- 300 tree challenge event- Birthday
presents, homeowner participation, photos, medals tied in, other.
10. Marie Roberts-Coordinate Specimen Tree on the Green
11. Data base inclusion - After discussion concluded this was not needed as these will be
private trees (unless planted in the right-of-way)
12. Candidate Specimen Trees for the Green: Basswood, American Beech, Shagbark
Hickory, Pignut Hickory, Princeton Elm
13. Candidate Trees for the Schools to plant in the Fall: (Anne will look up trees that can
be planted in the fall for the Schools to pick from)
Criteria for the trees: minimum maintenance, native tree. Initial Candidate Tree selection:
Princeton Elm, Honey Locust, American Hophornbeam.
Meeting adjourned.
There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded.