Ask Mr. Answer Person: a reader asks about people he has seen walking about and recording information on trees.

Dear Mr. Answer Person:  Over the last several weeks there have been two people going down the streets of South Avenue, Decorah Avenue , Center Avenue and Winneshiek Avenue as well as side streets, recording information on boulevard trees. This I understand is regarding the emerald ash borer. I noticed they are measuring the tree trunks and writing down information. I take it that the reports they are making gets turned into the city. Will property owners be notified as to whether their trees are going to be taken down? Does the city take care of this process? And what will the options be for replacement of trees?

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City Manager Chad Bird provided a reply:

The city has initiated a urban tree inventory. The employees / volunteers you may see around the community are taking an inventory of all the street trees in the city. Once the inventory is complete, city staff will be able to analyze the city's urban forest and provide a better response to care, maintenance and disease such as the emerald ash borer.
 
This information will be shared with the council and residents as a management plan is developed. It is anticipated that the city will actively pursue diseased trees located in the boulevard / right-of-way. The city already has a tree replacement policy that defines which trees are suitable where, and our forester will work with residents on species selection. Residents may call city hall with any questions about their street trees.