1F, Forestry Update and Discussion

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of the Parks tree planting program. Staff would like to use the time in the work session to discuss these and any other forestry related items with, the City Council. The Council feedback will be used to guide the forestry program, which will reflect current forestry activities, as well as the Council's forestry priorities. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Earlier this summer City Council adopted changes to the City Code chapter 7, Section 710 — Trees and Vegetation. The changes made added EAB as a shade tree disease in the code, giving our foresters the tools to deal with trees identified with EAB. Trees with EAB can now be ordered to be removed in order to prevent or slow the spread of disease, with the same processes set out for dealing with DED and OW trees. Highway 96 Trees In 2006 a project for landscaping on Highway 96 was completed. This project included the planting of 186 trees. These trees came with a two year warranty. All trees that died within the first two years were replaced by the contractor at no additional cost to the City. A recent inventory of the trees shows that 136 trees are alive and well, 29 trees are suffering decline and most likely will die, 12 trees are missing (lost due to vehicle accidents and/or have died and not been replaced), and 9 trees are dead. The cost to replace a tree similar in size is between $200 and $300 each. Thus, we could anticipate $15,000 to replace the current dead, missing and trees in decline. There would also be additional costs for labor to have these trees planted and to provide them with extra water and care needed for the first 2-3 growing seasons. Tree Planting and Reforestation Currently the City does not budget for tree replacement or additional trees to be added to public land. In the past few years some trees have been replaced using funds from the tree removal budget. We do work closely with the Friends of the Parks group in Ramsey County and participate each year in their tree donation program. This program provides the City with approximately 15-20 trees each year donated by residents. The donor has the choice of where they would like their tree planted. This has typically been in our parks. We have asked this group if these trees need to be planted solely in parks or could we expand the program to allow some flexibility to plant them on other public property or on boulevards in the public right of way. Ramsey County Friends of the Parks has indicated that they are willing to work with the City to expand the program to include these other types of replacement trees. One draw back to this program is that the trees used in the program are very small young trees which need extra care for many years to promote their long term health.