Arbor Month Planting Event

Last month, Staff provided an update to the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) about an upcoming tree-planting event in recognition of Arbor Day and Arbor Month.  This year, Arbor Day falls on Friday, April 25, and every year in Minnesota, the month of May is recognized as Arbor Month.  A tree-planting event is planned for Wednesday, May 14, beginning at 6pm.  The planting will take place along 145th Avenue NW, just east of Rhinestone Street, where the City previously had to remove seven (7) ash trees that were infested with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).  A total of six (6) sunburst honeylocusts will be planted.  

City Staff has invited members of both the EPB and the Parks and Recreation Commission to attend and assist with this planting.  Additionally, this event has also been included in the recreation programming portion of the website.  Staff is hopeful that we may have some members of the public join in the planting activity.  The flier promoting the planting event is attached.

 

The Community Forestry fund is being used to purchase the trees for this planting event.  The Community Forestry fund was established as part of the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance.  If a development exceeds the tree removal threshold, a developer either has to plant additional trees (1.25 inches for every 1 inch over the removal threshold) or pay into the Community Forestry fund ($125 for 1 inch over the removal threshold).  This fund is intended to help reestablish lost canopy cover within the community. 

Staff would encourage all EPB members to attend and participate in this Arbor Month planting event.  

No action is necessary, this is for informational purposes only.