Tree Advisory Board

Meetings

Meetings are held at 4:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Municipal Maintenance Faciility.

Members

Jeff Buerschen
Active Term: March 1, 2019 - February 28, 2022
Jeanne Kunay
Active Term: March 1, 2020 - February 28, 2023
Steve McLane
Active Term: March 1, 2021 - February 29, 2024
Stuart Moats
Active Term: March 1, 2021 - February 29, 2024
Don Shipley
Active Term: March 1, 2020 - February 28, 2023

About the Board

The Tree Advisory Board advises Council and staff regarding the planting, care, and removal of trees. They recommend species and varieties of trees to be planted within the city, implement an Arbor Day observance on an annual bases and establish, and maintain inventory of City street trees.

Contact

Email: treeadvisoryboard@beavercreekohio.gov

Tree City USA

The City of Beavercreek was designated as a Tree City USA in 2018, joining 241 other communities in Ohio that have earned this distinction.

Tree City USA is a national program that began in 1976, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, and in conjunction with the National Association of State Foresters.

There are four standards for Tree City USA recognition:

Formation of a Tree Advisory Board: The City of Beavercreek Tree Advisory Board was created in 2017 as the first step toward becoming a Tree City USA community. This volunteer board works in coordination with the City’s Public Administrative Service Department.
Possess a tree care ordinance: The City of Beavercreek has a tree care ordinance that is simple, clear, and meant to meet the needs of our community. It is an important tool for protecting and regulating public trees.
A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita: This is fundamental to manage a city’s public trees, ensuring benefits that outweigh costs.
Host an annual Arbor Day program: This provides opportunities to involve and educate community members of all ages.

Call before you dig

It is important to avoid injury and damage to underground electrical, gas, and other utility lines. Homeowners must contact OHIO811 at 8-1-1 or 1-800-362-2764 two days before starting a digging project or submit a request at oups.org/edig

1. Know where underground utilities are located

Contacting OHIO811 is essential when beginning any home improvement or landscaping job that involves digging, such as planting, installing a fence or deck, or aerating.

2. Ohio 811 will notify utility companies

The utility companies will ensure gas, electric, CATV, water and sewer lines are marked as needed. Digging near utility lines may result in injury, property damage, or utility disruption for you and your neighbors.

3. It's the law

Hitting an underground utility while digging can cause major damage and/or serious injury. Failure to contact Ohio 811 could result in fines or penalties.

Tree planting tips

Proper planting techniques help to ensure a tree's success.

1. Call 811 to protect underground utilities

Calling 811 or visiting OHIO811.org before digging is a must. It is a convenient and free service, and it is the law.

2. Identify the trunk flare

The trunk flare is where the trunk expands at the base of the tree. The point should be partially visible after the tree has been planted.

3. Dig a shallow, broad hole

Hole should be three to two times wider than the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball. Be sure to remove the tree from the container or cut away wire basket and burlap. If the root ball his circling roots, be sure to straighten, cut, or remove them.

4. Ensure the tree is planted straight

Before backfilling the hole, view the tree from several directions to ensure it is straight. If necessary, stake the tree to help keep it straight.

5. Water, water, water

It is important to keep the soil moist, but not water-logged following planting. Water trees at least once a week, barring rain, and more frequently during hot or windy weather.

6. Be sure to avoid...

Avoid planting too deep or too shallow. If a tree is planted too deep, new roots will have difficulty developing because of a lack of oxygen. If planted too shallow, roots will not properly establish. Take extra case to dig the hole to the proper depth.

Also, do not install excessive piles of mulch around the base of the tree covering the trunk. Mulch can be effective in keeping weeks away and reduces soil moisture loss. Covering the trunk with mulch can harm the tree and cause girdling roots. Keep mulch several inches away from the trunk of the tree.

Avoid planting tree that will grow into overhead utility lines to eliminate the need for the utility company to prune the tree in an unnatural manner and to help prevent service interruptions.

The best time to plant a tree in Ohio

The best time to plant a tree is October thru mid-December, and here's why:

1. Low transpiration

The process of water movement through the plant is transpiration. Cooler weather slows transpiration, allowing trees to conserve water.

2. Cooler temperatures

Cooler evening and daytime temperatures will not harm trees, unlike the summer heat.

3. Root growth

Trees do not focus on top growth during the winter and can generate roots through the fall and winter.

4. Time

Fall planting allows the tree more time to establish roots in the soil before summer heat stress comes along.

5. Spring planting

Planting between mid-April and late May prior to the start of summer heat is another good option. Be sure to provide adequate water as the new root system will not be established.

What to keep in mind when selecting a tree

1. Native tree species are a great choice

Tree species that are native to Ohio are a great choice because they are good for wildlife, have lower maintenance requirements, are easier to grow, suited for Ohio’s climate, and resistant to plant pests. Some excellent native tree species include Oak, Hackberry, Elm, Buckeye, Horsechestnut, Basswood, Kentucky Coffeetree, Hickory, Pawpaw, Redbud, Sweetgum, Walnut, and Sycamore.

2. Planning for species diversity

Take a look around the community. If you see a lot of a particular species of tree, plant a different kind! Maples are often a great choice because of their fall color and adaptability, but are becoming over planted.

3. Consult the help of a professional

If you are unsure what to plant, seek advice from your local OSU Extension office or an ISA Certified Arborist. An ISA Certified Arborist recognizes the economic, environmental, and societal benefits and values of trees, and can help select appropriate species for your property.

4. Diversity ensures success

Large, mature trees are a long-term investment. For a tree to reach maturity it must withstand the test of time. Planting a diversity of tree species is like investing in a mutual fund to minimize risk and maximize reward.

5. Be sure to avoid...

Avoid over-planting the same species within the community to create a diverse tree population and reduce impact of plant pests. Avoid planting trees that won’t tolerate the weather conditions in Ohio. Follow the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone for Greene County and choose trees that will survive in Zone 6a.

How to properly prune a tree

1. Assess the tree

Is the tree healthy? How much pruning can the tree tolerate? Determine the setting of the tree. Is it a street tree, near a home, in the yard? Determine the overall goal and objective and create a plan prior to making any pruning cuts.

2. Make proper pruning cuts

Pruning cuts should be made just outside of the branch collar to ensure proper healing. If pruning a large limb, undercut about 12-18” from the collar, then make a second cut from the top a few inches farther out on the limb. The third cut removes the stub to the collar. This prevents damage to the collar or bark tearing from the trunk.

3. Use the appropriate equipment

Be sure to use clean, sharp tools for making all cuts. Use the right size tool for the job, and wear all recommended safety gear. Never use a ladder when pruning trees.

4. Storm Recovery

Following a storm, it is important to evaluate each tree individually, and seek professional help from an ISA Certified Arborist as needed. Each tree should be evaluated to determine if it should be kept or removed. Trees that appear to be borderline should be given a chance to recover, while keeping under surveillance.