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Home My WebLink About2014-02-12 - MinutesCITY OF a e evl Iq MINUTES Y ARKANS Urban Forestry Advisory Board February 12, 2014 4:OOPM City Administration Building 1 113 W. Mountain I Room 111 Members: Amy Jones; Sarah King; Alma Laney; Kathy Launder; Malcolm LeVois; Sue Madison, Vice Chair; Don Steinkraus, Chair City Staff: Ken Eastin, Urban Forester; Derek Linn, Urban Forester; Alison Jumper, Park Planning Superintendent 1. Call to Order: 4:06pm I Don Steinkraus, Chair 2. In Attendance: Amy Jones, Sarah King, Alma Laney, Kathy Launder, Malcolm LeVois, Sue Madison, Don Steinkraus Absent: None Staff: Ken Eastin, Derek Linn, Alison Jumper Guests: Jeremy Williams 3. Approval of Minutes: Madison made a motion to approve the minutes as written, and King seconded it. The motion passed with a 7-0-0 voice vote. 4. Native or Invasive Plant Presentation —Amy Jones Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) Jones shared the following on the subject species: - Shared a Michael Dirr quote related to Yellowwood - Shared a distribution map of native range — here in the Ozarks is western edge of the range; endangered in Eastern U.S.; more widespread before glaciation of North America. Locally, Yellowwood may be found on steep, mesic, northern slopes and along limestone ridges, especially in the White River Valley of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri - Moderately sized, long lived, slow to medium growing tree - 50' tall and up to 50' wide; hardy in zones 4-8 - Smooth, muscular bark similar to Beech trees, Vase shaped like Elms - Fragrant flowers (May -June), flowering intermittently throughout the years; beneficial to Black Swallowtail Butterflies and Bees; browsed by deer - Branching starts low, but can be pruned up for aesthetic and structural purposes - Deep extensive root system - Pinnately compound, alternate leaves - Elegant winter form - Flowers yield seed pods - Construction of the Bull Shoals, Taneycomo, and Table Rock dams buried the native habitat of many Yellowwoods Mailing Address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 Fungal pathogen additional threat to Yellowwoods Available through Pine Ridge Nursery Steinkraus says there may be one at Compton Gardens, and that they have a tree sale yearly with some great species. He has also seen Yellowwoods along Brushy Creek near the Arkansas / Oklahoma border. Madison mentioned a residence in Fayetteville that has or used to have a Yellowwood tree. Williams, guest, said he knows of a Yellowwood at a Mt. Sequoyah residence Madison volunteered to provide next month's presentation. 5. YRCC Community Orchard: Fruit Rootin'! — Derek Linn Linn encouraged the Board to attend Fruit Rootin'!, a ground breaking and community tree planting event at the Yvonne Richardson Community Center, 240 E. Rock at 1:OOpm on February 20. He said this is an opportunity to join the community in planting 12 fruit trees at City of Fayetteville's 1st community orchard. He said the orchard is funded through a community tree planting grant from Keep America Beautiful and UPS Foundation, with local apple and pear trees being donated by Ames Orchard & Nursery. He said that additional partners include TriCycle Farms and Feed Fayetteville, who have helped spread the word through the community and who will also be bringing volunteers to the planting effort. He said that Guy Ames, Horticulturist at National Center for Appropriate Technology would be providing a free community workshop on fruit tree planting and 15t year fruit tree maintenance. Eastin said the workshop would be useful in learning how to plant bare root trees. Steinkraus said he like the idea of seeing a community orchard here and said it is a trend that is becoming more popular, especially along the West Coast. He asked if the fruit would be for anyone to harvest. Linn said yes; it is located on public park property and he hopes that the enticement of free fruit will also encourage locals to help take care of it. 6. UFAB Annual Report to City Council —Ken Eastin Eastin said the UFAB annual presentation at Agenda Session is approaching on February 25. He said Don, Kathy, and Sue submitted several bullet points for inclusion in the report. He read the Board members' suggestions, and said he would like to see a powerpoint presentation and written report for the Council. Madison suggested bringing copies of the Invasive Brochure to the Council members Steinkraus confirmed that the meeting would be two weeks from yesterday. Jumper said the presentation would be near the end of Agenda Session in Room 326 Madison asked who pays for the landscape award signs. She hoped that the previous UFAB Chair hadn't paid for them. Linn said he thinks that the Parks Department paid for the signs, and that staff would not ask Board members to pay for them out of pocket. Eastin said he would like to see a sign or award that winners could keep. He mentioned the idea of awards that hang from small shepherd's crooks in yards. Madison said she thinks it is tacky to ask for the award signs to be returned. Linn said they made it clear in the application last year that the sturdy signs were to be returned and re -used. Steinkraus said he liked the idea of an award that winners could retain. Madison suggested deciding what to use before requesting money in the budget or from Council. She asked who pays for the printing of the invasive brochures. Steinkraus suggested adding action photos to the presentation. He also requested to see the report before the presentation for review before the meeting. Linn asked if there was any public comment. Williams, guest, suggested making Landscape Manual its own bullet point. Launder stressed the importance of diversity in tree species and age as an important point of the presentation. Jumper suggested including basic benefits of urban forests. 7. Tree Species Lists Discussion — Don Steinkraus Steinkraus said this is related to the lists shared at the last meeting. Linn confirmed. He provided paper copies, but reminded listeners that the lists are available online in the Landscape Manual and at htto://u rbanfo restrv. accessfavettevi I le. o ra. Madision asked who uses the lists. Eastin said the Landscape Manual and tree lists are for staff, developers, home owners, and the general public. Steinkraus said the Street Trees for Special Situations could be separated into Native vs Non -Native lists, with encouragement for the public to plant natives. He said there are several exotic species on the list, which do not support native wildlife and ecology. He said the other tree list looked better as it has more native trees suggested. Laney reminded the board of his concern with the native species form of Redbud; he said the improved cultivars do work well though in this area. Steinkraus said he has some books that recommend natives to use in place of commonly seen invasive plants. Madison said she doesn't like Japanese Zelkova. She said she would like to see Fringe tree and Persimmon tree added. Steinkraus recommended Red Cedars for birds and other wildlife. Eastin asked if anyone had had any luck with Sourwood. Madison said she thinks it must be too dry around here, but she has seen them east of here. Jones said she likes Ginkgo. Steinkraus said he likes them as specimens in botanical gardens, but that they have few benefits for local wildlife. Jones said she thinks they may be used in Chinese medicine Steinkraus said he likes the Recommended Street Tree List, but would like to see some changes to the Special Situations Tree List. He said he would like to see Hollies added Madison said she thinks River Birch have some long term concerns, especially with ice storm damage. Eastin suggested native Mulberry trees. He encouraged members to note trees they want to see added or subtracted from the list with supporting reasons why. He said there is no rush as it will be an addendum to the Landscape Manual which staff will also work to revise. Steinkraus said he valued public comment from Jeremy considering his experience with trees in the field. Williams, guest, said Laurel Oaks decay internally fairly quickly; Willow Oaks grow fast, but are susceptible to ice storm damage. Steinkraus said he is seeing less Sugar Maples these days, and that fall color might be a consideration in one of the columns on the tree lists. Williams, guest, said many Sugar Maples were planted back in the teens and twenties, and they tend to live to 80-100 years. Jones said Red Maples are often purchased at the wholesale nursery she works at in Rogers. She says she would like to encourage diversity of species for homeowners. Madison asked if Catalpa trees are native in Fayetteville. Eastin confirmed. Madison asked if it is a good street tree. Linn said staff received some concern from the Board regarding the pods of Kentucky Coffeetree falling on sidewalks. He said he likes Catalpa trees, but they would likely exhibit a similar concern in these locations. Steinkraus said staff might also consider dividing the lists into categories such as: a. recommended trees; b. less recommended trees; c. trees to refrain from planting. He said several trees that shouldn't be planted are still being sold and purchased. Eastin said it would benefit the Special Situations List if we would specifically spell out what the special situations are. Under utility lines vs. dry soils vs. construction disturbed soils, et cetera. 8. Other Business or Announcements Steinkraus asked if there are any comments from the public. Williams, guest, brought a photo from a local newspaper of a City employee trimming a tree. He explained how the worker was improperly pruning the tree and not following safety standards. Eastin said staff are working to schedule a tree pruning workshop for all City employees that work with trees. He said it would cover safety techniques and pruning techniques, and that the City plans to hold these annually. 9. Adjournment Time: 5:09pm 10. Submitted by: Derek Linn