Tree care: It's in the planning stages

GENTRY — Preparing a tree management plan which would establish guidelines for the planting, care and removal of trees - especially on public property - within the city was the main topic of the Parks Committee Meeting on Monday.

Whether or not provisions of a tree management plan should be suggestive or mandatory was discussed, with most members saying that at least some portions should be mandatory.

Committee member Mike Parks suggested the plan be “half and half,” with some essential parts mandatory and others as suggested guidelines.

“We should have something in place that is mandatory,” Parks said, “but it should be simple and straight to the point - easy to read and easy to understand.”

Parks suggested that there may be some species of trees the city may wish to prohibit. He also suggested requiring the removal of dead trees and trees which pose a safety hazard in the community.

Particularly discussed were a few trees in the city park or along city streets which could easily be blown over or fall.

Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue advised looking at the tree plans and ordinances in other Tree Cities, but cautioned against making Gentry’s plan too stringent.

Delia Haak, executive director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, said urban Forester Peter Rausch would be available to return to Gentry June 7 and 8 - under the grant obtained by IRWP - to assist the city with its tree management plan and to offer training in tree care.

The committee plans to continue meeting on the second and fourth Mondays of each month to help the city prepare and adopt a tree management plan and to assist the city in its goal of being a Tree City USA.