City of Somerville header
File #: 206985    Version: 1
Type: Communication Status: Placed on File
File created: 11/2/2018 In control: City Council
On agenda: 11/8/2018 Final action: 11/20/2018
Enactment date: 11/8/2018 Enactment #: 206985
Title: Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner responding to #206070 re: a pilot program for native street trees.

  Agenda Text

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Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner responding to #206070 re: a pilot program for native street trees.

 

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Official Text

To the Honorable Board:

 

In response to Agenda Item 206070:

That the Administration work with interested community groups to implement a pilot program for native street trees.

We are happy to plan out pilot projects on topics that the community is interested in. In 2017 and 2018, City staff collaborated with constituents and advocacy organizations to pilot a certain planting technique known as "bare-root" planting. A similar model can be calibrated to focus on species selection.

 

Our goal for any pilot project to that it be well thought out and applied in a rigorous fashion so that the results will be useful and meaningful. Pilot projects must also be applied in accordance with other city standards, such as maintaining safe and accessible sidewalks. Staff have planted native species in recent planting rounds, and can also work with interested community members to examine these specimens' vitality to inform design of a pilot project.

 

Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.

 

Dr. Vanessa Boukili

Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner