04-14-21 Urban Forestry Committee MinutesKalispell Parks & Recreation
306 1st Ave E. P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
(406) 758-7718 Fax (406) 758-7719
STREET TREE BOARD
Minutes
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 4 - 5 p.m.
Public Comment:
Members introduced themselves to new board members: April Vomfell and Erin Stieber. No
public comment provided.
Approve Minutes:
There were no minutes to approve.
Current Business:
Arbor Day 2021 updates
Fred gave an overview of the Arbor Day event and how it will be different this year from
past years. Tony discussed educational booths this year and who has signed up to be filmed
ahead of the Arbor Day event. Booth presentations will be loaded onto the City’s YouTube
channel and shown in the third graders classrooms. Fred discussed having the formal
ceremony broadcast to the classroom via Google Meets live from Woodland Park. A spruce
tree will be this years official Arbor Day tree. Logistics was discussed with Colter as far as
lining up tree planting location and supplies to plant the tree. Ali mentioned that tree
seedlings would be arriving next week. Fred discussed coordinating the tree seedlings with
having the woodshop students place them in sandwich bags. Media was then discussed, Ali
is going to ask Jamie K. if something at the state level is available for us to utilize. All Tree
Board members were invited to attend the tree planting ceremony in person.
Council Meeting April 19
Fred discussed that we have been invited to come to council and make an Arbor Day
presentation on April 19. Tony agreed to read a letter from the tree board to council, Martin
agreed to be there as well. Ali cannot make the presentation and will ask Jamie K. to attend
via zoom and present the City of Kalispell its 34th TCUSA award.
May 8th Community Tree Planting event
Fred discussed that the community tree-planting event is part of a grant received from the
DNRC to plant trees in the boulevards surrounding Kalispell’s homeless shelters. One
hundred and eleven homeowners were identified has having potential planting locations
within the area. All were sent letters, 12 have opted out at this point. This 40-tree planting
Kalispell Parks & Recreation
306 1st Ave E. P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
(406) 758-7718 Fax (406) 758-7719
project will be combined with leftover tree replacements from the May 31, windstorm event
from last year for a total of around 100 trees going into this area. A Ray of Hope has agreed
to host the event, allowing us to use their parking lot for a meeting point and lunch. Three
volunteer groups have been identified to help plant these trees. Erin volunteered to reach out
to local pizza places for lunch donations. The challenge of watering of trees was discussed.
Cost Share Trees
Members were thanked for helping canvas areas of town in need of trees, hanging door
hangers on property owners doors advertising the program. To date 12 cost share trees have
been claimed with 40 more available.
Arborist Update - Colter
Finished winter pruning schedule. In total, 1,200 trees were pruned over the winter.
Currently pruning on 4th Ave E between 10th and 11th Street. Next week will be
planting 12 trees in the downtown area for the BID.
Misc
Martin is working with a group that would like to donate a tree(s) at Woodland Park.
He is researching a variety of Cercis canadensis, eastern redbud that is a zone 1 tree.
Cc: City Clerk