HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-10-08 Tree Advisory Agenda Bozeman Tree Advisory Board
Fleeting Agenda
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Noon
Bozeman City Office Building, Gallatin Room
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Shelly Engler, Chairperson
Mary Keck
Mike Haugh
Ada Montague
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Ryon Stover, Forestry Foreman
GUESTS PRESENT:
None
Chairperson Engler called the meeting to order at Noon
Item # 1 —Review of meeting agenda
No changes requested.
Item #2 —October minutes not available, will approve next meeting. There was no
November meeting.
Item #3 —Open Public Comment
No public comment.
Item #4— Business:
New Business:
Live Christmas tree PSA: The public service announcement ran. Thanks to Ada
Montague for putting it together. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle also ran an article,
interviewed several people on the topic.
Idea was discussed for next year: Mike Harris with the open lands dept. offered to pre-
dig holes in the regional park for people wishing to donate their live Christmas tree.
There could be a group planting day in January. Coordinate with FORPARKS?
Board Vacancy: Ron Nafziger with Bozeman Arborcare is possibly interested in serving
on the tree advisory board. Ryon Stover will contact him.
A: Mountain Pine Beetle infestation update:
It's getting bad. This insect has been a problem for years in the forest, now moving into
urban areas. All species of pine are susceptible, (Scotch, Austrian, Ponderosa, Mugho,
etc). Spruces that are close to heavily infected trees have also been attacked. Standing
dead wood brought to town as firewood does not carry the beetle.
Ryon Stover has started putting flyers on the doors of homes and business with infected
trees.
Ryon also went to "Wood for Fuels" workshop in Helena. Idea is to use the biomass
from diseased trees to heat schools,etc. Ryon will be meeting Dec. 11th with DNRC,
RC&D and USFS to discuss disposal sites and the purchase of pheromones. (The
pheromones confuse the beetles into thinking a tree is already infected, so they move
on.) There are state lands available for disposal sites.The diseased trees will be chipped
up and used for hog-fuel (wood chips used for heating).
Aslo of note: Ag. Science Grad student at MSU, Dan Durham, is researching a cellulose
into charcoal project.
B. Update Tree Selection Guide:
It was agreed to change the format of the current guide to one list of trees that can be
grown in the valley with icons or symbols to denote trees suitable for boulevards, under
utility lines, and parks. Additional symbols can also indicate those species which are
drought tolerant, have spring blooms,fall color or fruit.
Board members will look over tree descriptions for the January meeting and have
suggestions for additional information or changes.
Tree tour information will be incorporated into the individual tree descriptions
Forman Stover provided an estimate of 23,000 street publicly owned trees in Bozeman,
with an estimated value of 23 million.
• It was agreed upon again that in most cases cultivars will not be listed as they
come and go.
• Add links to websites with information on tree planting and refer to other tree
board puplications.
• Add a section for appropriate trees in parks.
• Disease problems will be mentioned for each species if applicable. (such as Dutch
Elm and the Bark Beetle.)
• Black Ash will be listed but stated not recommended for planting due to major
die-off in Gallatin Valley from the cottony ash psyllid.
• If space allows leave the Favorite Tree Myths section.
• Correct the address of City Hall to 122 N. Rouse.
Item # 5— next Meeting Schedule:
January 14, 2009 in the Gallatin Room at City Hall.
Other discussion:
Christmas trees will be collected from 4 drop off spots and chipped. No pine beetle risk
from cut x-mas trees as beetle only attacks large mature trees. Walleye unlimited takes
some trees up to Canyon Ferry for fish habitat.
City land up Bozeman Creek, (several thousand acres above the water treatment plant)
is co-managed with the USFS. They are looking at management options for beetle
control and fire prevention
Meeting adjourned 12:45 pm