September 16 Tree Board Meeting

Detailed briefing

September 16 Tree Advisory Board Meeting — September 16, 2022 ATTENDEES: Dana Mulder, Nancy Rondell, Patrick Watts, and Victor. • The board discussed a dying, hazardous silver maple on the Freudenberger property behind the Blackbird Museum. Staff said branches had fallen in prior years and caused minor damage to the museum. The tree could also threaten Shea House. The owners reportedly want the city to pay for removal, estimated at about $5,000; staff will explore cost-sharing with the Historical Society and neighbors. • Members cautioned that trimming limbs over the property line may require legal review. They noted that pruning could potentially worsen the tree’s condition or create liability concerns. No removal arrangement or legal determination was reported. • Staff provided details for a DTE Foundation/ReLeaf planting event: 20 donated trees are scheduled to be planted Saturday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m. Participants will meet at City Hall before planting there and at the DPW facility. Ten trees are planned in each area, including replacements for dead or dying crabapples near Deer Park and trees near Jean Jardine Park/Pennsylvania Avenue and the DPW building. • The board discussed volunteer recruitment, refreshments, planting tools, possible equipment for moving trees, water access, and tree-care materials. Staff said ReLeaf is preparing event promotion, while the city plans to advertise and seek volunteers. DPW is expected to monitor watering using gator bags. Details such as tree size and final equipment needs were not confirmed. • Members supported beginning a broader tree-planting and streetscape planning process north of Lake Street. The approach would identify general priorities and desired street or park character instead of specifying every tree location. Proposed criteria include tree scale, area use, conflicts with utilities or infrastructure, maintenance needs, shade, views, and future development. The board expects to begin with a field review of the north-of-Lake-Street area. • The board received a memorial tree donation from Barbara Lapham and Carolyn Grinch in memory of Joe Detalia. No site or species was selected. Marina Park was suggested for future consideration because members said Detalia was active in the boating world. The board also discussed a Summit Street tree that residents asked it to inspect for possible champion or heritage recognition. Worth watching: • Whether a cost-sharing plan and legal approach emerge for removal of the hazardous silver maple. • Volunteer turnout and final logistics for the Oct. 8 planting event. • Development of the board’s citywide planting-priority framework and coordination with the Parks Board. Upcoming: Community tree planting is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 11 a.m., meeting at City Hall; the next Tree Board meeting was referenced but no date was stated. Why it matters: The discussion links immediate tree-safety concerns with a longer-term plan for where and how Harbor Springs adds and maintains public trees.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.