Tree board
June 24th, 2008 by 
Alica
Brandon’s newly-formed Tree Board will meet for the first time Wednesday.
What do you think should be the purpose of the tree board? How involved do you think the board should get in write and rewriting laws regarding trees in Brandon?
Do you think it’s a good thing the city has a tree board? Do you think there will be enough to do to keep them busy enough to meet monthly? Or do you think it would be better if they met quarterly?
Do you have any tree-related issues you’d like the board to talk about at its first meeting?
Posted in Uncategorized, City business | 
June 24th, 2008 at 11:27 am
It is an OK idea to have a tree board. I am not sure who came up with the concept or what the purpose of this board is supposed to be. I would like to see them encourage more homeowners/businesses in Brandon plant nice trees.
Maybe they could start by coordinating a spring and fall tree planting weekend (specials offerred from area sellers of trees). Nothing is quite as beautiful as a community full of trees - especially boulevard trees. Of course this could be expanded as a “beautification of Brandon” effort. Planting flowers, etc.
Pierre does this each spring with petunias. THey plant them everywhere. Individuals/groups “adopt” a block or an area and plant and maintain that area all season. It works!
I imagine this board will also have to deal with unpleasanat issues as well. Items such as height of trees over sidewalks, neighbor issues, etc.
June 25th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
What is the stated purpose/goal of the tree board and what authority will it have? I guess I missed the discussions that went into forming it.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:12 am
At its first meeting Wednesday night, the tree board talked about ways the city could get more money for foliage on public boulevards and parks.
Assuming the city council approves the board’s recommendations, the planned soccer fields at McHardy Park will get $500 worth of trees this fall. The board also recommended that the list of trees citizens can plant be increased by six varieties.
What types of trees do you have on your property? We have only one tree on our property, and I’m embarrassed to admit I don’t know what kind it is. I’m like a lot of citizens - I don’t know one tree from another.
One of the tasks of the tree board will be to help residents understand which trees are best to plant in which places, and to help the city council write laws that will regulate tree planting so it benefits the most people.
Do you think this is a good use for the board?
June 27th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Do you envision laws telling us what kind of trees we can plant? (’help the city council write laws that will regulate tree planting so it benefits the most people’)
June 27th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
To #4: Yes. In fact, the city already does that. There has been a list for some time of trees that are allowed in the areas between sidewalks and the streets. The tree board this week recommended adding six varieties to that list.
As far as I know, though, there are no rules regulating what kinds of trees people can plant in their yards. And in areas where there are no sidewalks, I don’t know what the law dictates in the area next to the street, but I will ask.
There also are rules about trimming trees that hang over the walkways or the street. The tree board will help decide those things, too.
June 28th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I do alot of walking at night and there are alot of trees in Brandon that could use a good trim, I think this is a great thing.
For the rules on trees that can be planted, I am not positive but I hope I am right, Cottonwood trees are a no go. Some might think they are pretty, but I think alot of us think they are a pain!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:31 pm
another no go for tree is ELM..due to the fact that it brings in beetles that you do NOT want around here..there are several types of tree’s that should not be planted because of proness to diseases which causes hazards and problems in maturity. but it would be nice for the city to get grants for tree planting along the blvd’s would be a lot cheaper for them to get them than JQ public. most tree’s cost from 60 bucks and up..but it would be nice to see a list of approved trees
July 1st, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I looked on the city Web site but couldn’t find a list of approved trees. So I have an e-mail in to City Hall asking for the list. I’ll post it as soon as I hear back from them.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:23 am
The list that is current consists of:
Hackberry
American Linden or Basswood
Hard Maple
Oak species
Ash species
Thornless Honey Locust
Other trees allowed upon prior approval
Trees the tree board have recommended adding are:
Catalpa
Ginko
Ohio Buckeye
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Black Locust
Hybrid Elm
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Are these board members getting paid by the city? It would have been nice to know the “preferred” trees to be planted in Brandon.
We have had two new houses in Brandon (we landscaped) and never knew there were trees that were “legal” and those that are not. Are they truely going to “monitor” what is planted or is it just another empty city “law” (or whatever the correct term should be)? Who exactly does a homeowner go to for “prior approval” and what is that procedure?
While I do appreciate the concept of making our town more tree friendly, this does seem like a bit of red tape. Maybe there could be a list of the “acceptable” trees printed in the information pages of the phone book along with a contact person for “approval”. The info must be accessible if they want residents to follow the “laws”.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Law is the correct word. When the city council approves an ordinance, it becomes a law.
All the city laws are on the city Web site at www.brandonsd.com.
Or, for specific questions, contact City Hall at 582-6515.
The law actually says residents must get a permit before they plant a tree between the sidewalk and street. Contact City Hall for that.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:03 pm
If the laws are all on the city website, how come earlier you couldn’t find the acceptable trees listed? Also, in reality, how many residents know that a permit is needed to plant a boulevard tree? Have any tickets actually been given? I can’t imagine anyone has ever gotten a permit in the town of Brandon.
With all the houses that have gone up in Brandon in the last 10 years, and subsequently boulevard trees planted, the city could have made a small fortune in fines ticketing homeowners without tree permits.
I agree with having a list of “preferred” trees to plant, but to actually have a “law” seems rather silly. Especially when the laws are not publically known or realistically going to be enforced.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I just looked in the most recent Brandon phone book and they do have a half page on “Pruning trees. the minimum clearance” (page 85). No mention of the law or listing of acceptable trees.
I also think it might be nice to have a SMALL handout of Brandon info/laws (acceptable trees, open burning, fireworks, snow removal, grass clippings, permits required, animals, parking, minors driving, curfews, snowmobiles, 4 wheelers, etc.) This could be given to ALL individuals as they move into town and come to city hall to sign up for water. Not sure on how to get it to current residents. A one time mailing - ?? if small enough with the monthly water bill.
This info used to be in the small phone book but I had to go back to the year 2000 phone book to find any City of Brandon info. Anyone with a clue on why it isn’t in there anymore?
Major sidenote….why does the city mail out monthly water bills/statements to those of us on auto pay? I would appreciate it if they could do this quarterly instead. It would save postage (wasted tax $$$$). They also could stop sending a return envelope - I have no use for it as we are on auto pay. Or better yet, how about electronically sent statements?
July 5th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Ohio Buckeye, or Fetid Buckeye, is native to North America and generally has a short trunk and low branching structure. The leaves release an unpleasant odor when crushed. This is because all parts of the tree itself are poisonous….a smelly tree with poisonous fruits ..again not a good recommendation
The black locust has thorns. With all the bicyclists in town I don’t think people are going to want to spend the money on new tires all the time.. Again not a good recommendation
Below is a list of Hybrid Elms..i would choose any of these over the Buckeye or the Black locust ( was any common sense used for these recommended trees they want added?) The catalpa and the Ginko have low growing branches. Which they city doesn’t want could obstruct the sidewalk or block a street..And why are there no pines ok’d you see a lot of various pines along the streets and blvds
`Accolade’ - is a new disease resistant selection from the Morton Arboretum. It has very glossy, dark green foliage.
`Jacan’ - is a selection of U. japonica. The Japanese Elms have a form more similar to the American Elm than most other species. Hardy to zone 3a.
`Sapporo Autumn Gold’ - Has an oval crown. One of the first disease resistant cultivars to become available. Form not as good as some of the later introductions. Introduced by the University of Wisconsin.
`Homestead’- was introduced recently by the USDA. It has an oval crown with an upright arching branching habit. Resistant to Dutch elm disease.
`Pioneer’ - is a new introduction by the USDA. It is very vigorous and resistant to Dutch elm disease. It has a rounded crown.
`Regal’ - has good central leader development with wide branch angles. Introduced by the University of Wisconsin. Resistant to Dutch elm disease.