Revised June 18, 2024
This article will explain the history of a taxpayer-funded Urban Forest Management Plan process for Shorewood, and how it has evolved to current day.
In 2024, the City seems to be facing the “perfect storm” for tree management on its properties:
- Emerald Ash Borer, oak wilt, lingering Dutch elm, buckthorn and other woody invasives, several years of drought and a winter without enough snow to blanket tree roots exacerbate the situation. A walk through Freeman Park shows that the current removal of buckthorn has now exposed an epidemic of infected ash trees.
- Limbs are on power lines or trees leaning dangerously onto the wires over roadways.
Above: This tree, located on city property (ROW) at Country Club and Mary Lake Trail, has completely grown around the utility wire. - Many roadsides and trails/sidewalks have not been trimmed to comply with city standards. Sight lines at intersections are overgrown.
On Feb. 12, 2024, the Council renewed its annual contract with Davey Resource Group (DRG) (start at p. 24).
- The contract is the same as 2023, with updated rates.
- Over the last three years, DRG has been paid an average of approximately $45k annually, mostly for tree removal, about half of the original plan. (DRG payments are included in the Public Works Budget under “contracts.”)
- $10k is budgeted for tree planting in 2024.
The back story:
In May, 2016, the Council approved a proposal (start at p. 73) for the completion of an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) for $17k.[1] About 80% of the UFMP had already been developed by in-house staff, with the remaining 20% to be completed by DRG[2]. The intent of the UFMP is for DRG to function as the city forester[3] rather than having a person on staff.
- The Council, consultants, and City Engineer Larry Brown discussed the UFMP further at a work session on Oct. 10, 2016. The Council conveyed a sense of urgency for the removal of dangerous trees and Emerald Ash Borer treatment for trees determined to be of value. Also, specifically discussed was a 5-year implementation for the UFMP.
- The final revisions and comment happened at a work session on Jan. 23, 2017. The report was accepted at a regular council meeting on Feb. 23, 2017 (start at p. 79). Note: The item was approved on the consent agenda, without Council discussion.
Action items in the 2017 plan included:
The 10-year UFMP planned for annual expenditures of $72,000-$85,000.
A Mar. 11, 2018 tree report (start on p. 80) indicated that the first year resulted in 91 dead, dying or damaged trees removed from city-owned properties . Also included was a city staff comment that the UFMP would not be implemented according to the original schedule, due to “other” factors.
The current situation:
Buckthorn removal is approximately 50% complete in Freeman Park, through the efforts of resident Barry Brown for recruiting and organizing 50+ volunteers. Of great concern is the lack of a comprehensive plan to maintain the areas cleared, and to move ahead with the natural areas untouched. The devastation caused by the ash borer looms large over the next 1-3 years. The failure to implement the UFMP from 2017-22 has created significant challenges for the “tree city.”
