To answer Jason's comments below: 1) Yes, the presence of any tree with Dutch elm disease provides a source of infection. It is for this reason we aggressively remove the trees and why so many are coming down so quickly.
2) You are right, neighborhood assessments would be a good idea to put out. Some of these we just did this year and are using them as a basis for replanting areas - especially those areas which have the greatest need for tree cover - the Central and Phillips neighborhoods and near north Minneapolis - although everyone should noticed increased planting this year. Think we should put this info out after we finish planting this year to start making plans for next season. 3) Harvey Zuckerman just wrote me about a previous plan where neighbors were able to purchase partially subsidized trees (MPRB I assume) for 1/3 the normal retail cost to accelerate planting. Think this is worth looking into. 4) Also think that the MPRB should consider putting out an RFP to have a large contact for injection of elm trees to prevent the spread of the disease. I have heard estimates of the cost per tree to be $300-500 through normal contracts with tree companies. Maybe we could reduce that cost greatly with a large contract through the Park Board. Brought this up at a MPRB meeting a couple weeks ago as a possibility - there is some interest there. Thanks again for your thoughts and I will look into neighborhoods getting their tree counts to them to allow them to decide if they would like to participate with reforestation through NRP funding. This would occur after we finish planting this year. Thanks John Erwin MPRB Commissioner Message: 11 Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 09:31:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Jason C Stone <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [Mpls] RE: Trees and Park Board Issues To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Thank you for your reply, Commissioner Erwin. A question, a comment, a suggestion : Does it pose additional risk to the remaining healthy trees that the sick trees are not being removed and sanitized more quickly? I appreciate the tree planting effort. Additionally, I've spoken with Tracy Nordstrom and an MPRB forestry coordinator and MPRB was able to provide me with a gap analysis of how many trees will be planted in my neighborhood versus the optimal number of trees. MPRB has been extremely helpful in this regard. I suggest communicating the tree gap to neighborhoods so that they can decide if they want to play a part in the solution. Specifically, they could opt to direct NRP funds toward this issue, whether for increased identification, faster removal & sanitation, or replanting - beyond what the City or MPRB are able/willing to do. Neighborhoods, some of which have emphasized the environment as a top priority, are working on NRP Phase 2 action plans right now. Regards, Jason Stone Diamond Lake REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
