2011 Arbor Day

As the Board may know, Arbor Day is observed by the state of Minnesota on the last Friday of April and May is recognized as Arbor Month.  Additionally, to maintain the Tree City USA certification, which the City has for the the last nineteen (19) years, the City must not only observe Arbor Day but also conduct a planting.  Over the past several years, the Board has participated in the various Arbor Day plantings, which have included both larger ball and burlap plantings as well as seedlings. 

 

This year, Staff has identified two options for a planting event.  First, the Board could participate in a planting event within The COR by working with City Staff to install five (5) or six (6) larger, ball and burlap trees in Rhinestone Commons park.  This spring, likely in early to mid May, the City will be installing a parking lot in this park and once construction is complete, landscaping will be installed including trees.

 

A second option would be planting seedlings along a new segment of trail that installed as part of the storm water treatment ponds south of Highway 10.  While abundant landscaping was installed with this project, at the top of the slopes, there may be some space for seedlings.

 

Timing of either option would be this spring and likely in May.  However, the Rhinestone Commons planting would be dependent on completion of the parking lot while the seedlings option is not dependent on any other activities and could be scheduled whenever.

While both options provide the Board an opportunity to participate in an Arbor Day planting, it seems that there would be much more visibility and 'bang for the buck' with the Rhinestone Commons planting.  Although Staff has raised concerns in the past regarding volunteer plantings with larger stock, Staff could do a better job of delineating the steps of tree planting and then the Board could essentially assign members to the various tasks.  In that regard, each member would have a specific role in the process and this would presumably eliminate much of the standing and observing that has occurred in the past.  

 

Based on discussion.