Athens Shade Tree Commission - October 21, 2026

The Athens Shade Tree Commission met on October 21, 2026. The commission recommended pruning and sanitation work, with possible cabling if warranted, rather than removing the sweet gum at 32 Lorine; the city requested a recommendation the following day. Members also discussed verifying that tree-care contractors used by the city meet the commission’s ISA certification requirement. No contract award or dollar amount was reported, and the commission planned to check that the city is applying the contractor qualification in its bidding and work practices.

The commission coordinated replacement tree planting planned for November 7, with Menard’s expected to source and deliver the trees; members favored requesting smaller, 1-inch trees because they are easier for volunteers to handle, though timely sourcing remained uncertain. The city has also allocated funds for Columbus Road median landscaping and plantings near the bike path and soccer fields. Members discussed potentially combining this work under one contract, with some plantings likely deferred until spring pending planning and university approval. Other discussion covered possible volunteer planting in Brierwood and monitoring dead trees near the library and bike path; no spending-related vote was recorded.