Minutes/ discussion of Tree Work September 21, 2022

Topics: Stump grinding, bidding, tree planting

Wednesday, September 21,2022

Duration:  6:05 PM-6:30 Scheduled until 7:30

Attendance: Alexandra (Head), Emily (Co-lead), Amy, Cheryl, Lauren, Marina, Mary, Vicky (attended partway), Carol (attended partway), Renae(attended partway). 

Note Takers:  Alex and Amy

Location: Team gathered at the Common House, then walked through part of the wacoho campus.

Overview of Agenda:

Stump Grinding Discussion:

Stumps were slated for grinding in May 2022 following removal of targeted trees in Phase 2 plan, but money concerns and a bid in excess of the budget put it on hold. Now, we're looking at spending potentially even more time and money to process these stumps as fresh new growth (suckers) has come up that needs to be cut down.

Concerns addressed:  Mary and Marina expressed concern regarding a dangling dead tree branch from a siberian elm located to the northwest of Laura’s Unit. They requested that this branch be included in the stump grinding budget.  Amy assured that she has spoken personally to Laura and that this branch is to be accounted for maintenance, however within the scope of Phase 3, which is to be implemented in 2023. 

Next Steps:

Stump “Reveal” Work Parties:

 The community will be asked to help and use their pay or play hours to cut back shoots from Siberian Elms that were freshly cut (a great way to get hours). We’ll schedule work parties for folks to join in and also individuals will go out and just get it done. If anyone has questions, Amy and Alex can help or share good tools for the job.

We’re planning to prune down the stumps, starting with Lauren’s Unit 25 and moving southward.  Sep 22 Amy led a session with Vicky and cut back shoots from stumps between the Garage and Unit 27, and the stumps closest to Cheryl’s Unit.  Saturday, Sep 24, Alex, Laura De Backer, and Charlie (volunteer) helped prune back the remaining stumps in Unit 25’s backyard, and those in the front and back of Alex’s Unit 21. Alex and Cyd pruned back Cyd's stumps near Unit 23 on Oct 6.  Cheryl's unit will be scheduled shortly mid-October.

Overgrown stumps behind Unit 23 and 21:

 Amy and Alex will reach out to Hans about scheduling for Scott Dixon to manage the overgrown stump behind Units 21 and 23.

Bidding Process:

The Tree Committee has $1000 remaining in the budget, to be used for stump maintenance.  Tree Committee co-leads Alex and Emily will begin by reaching out to community for suggested arbor care companies to reach out to.  They will schedule for a minimum of three companies to come onsite and offer a bid for these prioritized stumps.

Tree Planting:

Trees are happy to be planted in the fall. We'll ask community to email Amy prospective tree locations, which she will compile and bring back to the committee. Then we need to really vet the area for good irrigation/light conditions/and whether appropriate for trees. Please, also reach out to anyone on the committee if interested in being a part of the planting planning and follow-through process.

There is a lot of work to be done to take care of the land and the plants that we live with.  We are very fortunate to take action now and are actively compiling lists and prioritizing what needs to be done in measured, approachable, and ideally joyful ways.  If you have any concerns of other trees and stumps, together we will revise, update and add or subtract from 2023’s  Phase 3 .