HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-07-25 Public Comment - A. Kociolek - Value of dying and dead treesFrom:Angela Kociolek
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Terry Cunningham; Joey Morrison; Jennifer Madgic; Emma Bode; Douglas Fischer;Mitchell Overton; Jon Henderson; Nicholas Ross; Brit Fontenot; Erin George
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Value of dying and dead trees
Date:Monday, January 6, 2025 10:33:59 AM
Attachments:BTC_ImportanceOfDyingAndDeadTrees_1-6-25.pdf
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Dear Commissioners and Department Directors -
Happy New Year to you!
Attached please find a recent letter about the value of retaining dying and dead trees on newdevelopment sites.
We believe this would be a topic of interest for relevant citizen advisory boards and request it beshared with the Urban Parks & Forestry; Sustainability; Economic Vitality; Transportation; andCommunity Development boards. Please also share with relevant staff as you see fit.
Thank you for your interest,
Bozeman Tree Coalition
P.S. This public comment is intended for the Gran Cielo II folder. Thank you!
Page 1 of 2
January 6, 2025
Dear Mr. Carl Sanders,
Recently, the Bozeman Tree Coalition (BTC) has learned that upwards of 80 dying or dead trees
are scheduled to be cut down and removed from the Kurk Street Forest in the eastern half of
Gran Cielo II. The potential loss of these trees is of concern because their removal will degrade
the ecological function of and reduce the ecosystem services provided by this long-standing,
mixed-species, mixed-age, urban-suburban forest. As documented by Mr. Chris McQueary, the
Kurk Street Forest is a small-forest ecosystem that supports at least 31 species of birds.1
In urban-suburban forests, the ecological importance of dying and dead trees—aka “snags”—is
well known.2 For example, the decaying wood of dying and dead trees makes it easier for cavity-
nesting birds to excavate.3 Cavity-nesting birds, including chickadees, wrens, and woodpeckers,
have been documented on the Gran Cielo II site. Snags also provide important perching and
nesting habitat for birds of prey, including the red-tailed hawk, which also nests on this site.
Interestingly, the Virginia Cooperative Extension promotes saving dead trees as snags in
city parks and on private property.4 By keeping snags, one northern Virginia condominium
association saved approximately $2,000 per tree while adding important and desirable bird
habitat.
In addition to snags, trees and limbs lying on the ground provide cover for small mammals, and
decaying wood provides food for insects, which are eaten by birds.2,3 Decomposing trees
release nutrients into and enrich the soil. The diverse range of organisms that inhabit dying and
dead trees, e.g., fungi, lichens, insects and other invertebrates, help maintain and enhance
biodiversity in urban-suburban environments. Not to forget the roots of dying and dead trees
help anchor the banks of waterways, such as the irrigation ditch in the eastern half of Gran Cielo
II.
The BTC acknowledges there can be safety concerns with dying and dead trees in areas of high
human traffic.2 However, rather than removing dying and dead trees in the eastern half of Gran
Cielo II, BTC suggests leaving them, designing trails with a wide buffer zone, and only pruning a
limb or removing a tree when absolutely necessary. Doing this will enhance the interest and
beauty of Gran Cielo II, the health of the Kurk Street Forest, and also save money and time.
Mr. Sanders, thank you for taking time to consider BTC’s suggestions.
Sincerely,
Bozeman Tree Coalition co-founders Daniel Carty, Chris McQueary, Lara Schulz, Marcia
Kaveney, and Angie Kociolek
BOZEMANTREECOALITION@GMAIL.COM
Page 2 of 2
References
1 McQueary, C. 2023. Gran Cielo II, Kurk Street Forest bird list: public comment to City of
Bozeman 6-12-23.
https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=276209&dbid=0&repo=BOZEMAN
2 Girardi, P. 2022. The destiny of dead trees. Urban Forest Dweller.
https://www.urbanforestdweller.com/the-destiny-of-dead-
trees/#:~:text=Dead%20limbs%20on%20the%20ground%20can%20provide%20shelter%20for
%20small,raccoons%20or%20bears%2C%20to%20fish
3 National Wildlife Federation. 2025. Turning deadwood into homes for wildlife.
https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/1998/Turning-Deadwood-into-Lively-Homes-
for-
Wildlife#:~:text=Tall%20snags%20also%20attract%20birds,depend%20on%20dead%20trees%
2C%20too.
4 Cameron, L. 2024. Keep that dead wood around! Snags, dead branches, and stumps add
habitat and natural beauty, too. Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia and Virginia Cooperative
Extension.
https://mgnv.org/best-management-practices/keep-that-dead-wood-around-snags-dead-
branches-and-stumps-add-habitat-and-natural-beauty-too/
cc:
Commissioners: Mayor Terry Cunningham; Deputy Mayor Joey Morrison; Jennifer Madgic,
Douglas Fischer, and Emma Bode
Department Directors: Erin George, Community Development; Nick Ross, Transportation &
Engineering; Mitch Overton, Forestry, Parks and Recreation, & Cemetery; Jon Henderson,
Strategic Services; Brit Fontenot, Economic Development
Gran Cielo II public comment folder via comments@bozeman.net