Review Prohibited Species in Ramsey Tree Book

As the Board knows, a Ramsey Tree Book was developed years ago.  The Ramsey Tree Book includes information related to planting instructions, tree care, growing requirements of various species, average size of species (height and width) at maturity, and whether species are native to Minnesota and also more specifically to the Anoka Sandplain.  Furthermore, the Ramsey Tree Book identifies species as being either acceptable, preferred or prohibited when used to satisfy landscaping requirements. 

Recently, during a routine landscape inspection, two (2) Amur Maple trees were noted as being installed in the boulevard area of a new single family home.  Amur Maple, due to its propensity to produce extremely large seed crops, is considered invasive by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is listed as a Prohibited Species in the Ramsey Tree Book.  City Staff failed the landscape inspection for this reason and informed the builder that the trees would need to be replaced with another species.  As a result, the builder subsequently requested that the City reconsider whether Amur Maple should remain as a prohibited species.

Amur Maple is originates from Asia and is adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions.  As noted previously, it is a prolific seed producer, hence being labeled as invasive if the seeds escape maintained areas (yards).  Finally, Amur Maple is typically known as a large shrub or small tree with multiple stems, neither of which is an appropriate characteristic for a street tree. 

For these reasons, Staff does not support removing Amur Maple from the Prohibited Species list.  However, it has been a while since the Board reviewed this information and this provides an opportunity for the Board to revisit the Ramsey Tree Book (attached to this case are the Acceptable, Preferred and Prohibited species lists [please note that there are not active links within those lists], for a complete version of the Ramsey Tree Book, follow this link: http://www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/sites/default/files/documents/Environmental/Tree%20Book%202010%20combined%20for%20web.pdf).

Staff is seeking direction from the Board regarding Amur Maple being classified as a Prohibited Species in the Ramsey Tree Book.