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'fr�� i�,��, F�1�rt��,m�r�� The focus for our disease management portion of the City's forestry program is to survey for diseased and hazardous trees on public and private property, as outlined in both state statute and city ordinance. The primary focus or concern is with DED and Oak Wilt. Unfortunately, little that can be done to save diseased trees and removal is required. The total number of trees removed as a result of all inspections conducted by the forester on public and private land was 267; 105 trees on public land and 162 trees on private land. The number of trees removed this year increased by 79% from last year. Of the total number of trees removed, 245 were dead/dy�r�g or diseased elms. The City hires a tree removal contractor to remove trees on public land. This year the tree removal contract was awarded to Precision Landscape and Tree Company from Little Canada, MN. The contract agreement consisted of removal of dead/dyir�g, diseased, and hazardous trees and limbs; and the grinding of stumps, including covering the area with black dirt and grass seed. Precision's contract work included: � Removing 105 public trees, ranging in size from 4" DBH (diameter at breast height) to 37" DBH. Of the 105 public trees that were removed, 85 were diseased or dying elms and 20 were dead, dying, or hazardous public trees. Cost of tree removal work was approximately $57,817. . Handling 29 miscellaneous items. These items consisted mostly of trimming broken branches and stump grinding, although there were a few locations where trees were trimmed due to public trees encroaching on private property. Cost of miscellaneous tree work was approximately $5,183. . Total cost for all tree work was $63,000. This is approximately $45,000 over the budgeted amount, an increase of 66%. The 2004 forestry budget was subsidized with funds from the 2004 PIP budget which had a major impact on the projects planned for 2004. Removal of diseased, dying, and hazardous trees on private property involved 65 property owners. This involved the removal of 162 trees, mostly due to Dutch elm disease. Most of the contacts to property owners requesting removal of private trees were made through letters from the forester, although a simple phone call was adequate in some cases. Some property owners contacted the forester themselves to report their own trees. One of the 65 property owners requested assistance to remove the trees from their property. Cand'usion/Reeorr�me�datio�� The goal of any forestry program is to implement a forest management program, which at a minimum includes disease and hazardous tree control, and public assistance. However there comes a time when that is not enough. Other essential elements of any urban forestry program needs to include public education, aggressive reforestation, and maintenance of a healthy urban forest. V� address the concerns of the public; in fact the forestry technician's first priority is to respond to the public's questions. The disease control aspect of our program is the second priority. We do need to prioritize an action plan for disease control to become a more comprehensive forestry program, DED is on the rise and a new insect problem is on the way. 33