24-04 Approved Tree Board MinutesCrystal Tree Board Minutes
April 3, 2024
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Commission Tree Board meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by
Crystal Tree Board chair Lynn Haney.
Tree Board members in attendance: Lynn Haney (Tree Board Chair), Jesse McCaffrey, Jennifer
Zielinski, Dave Anderson, J.D. Moore II, Terri Schultz, Angela Spores and Kassidy Swanson. Alex
Popp attended via Zoom. Also present were John Elholm, Recreation Director and Brad Fortin,
Parks Superintendent
Tree Board member absent: Joyce Cooper
Fortin reviewed the Forestry Annual Report, highlighting work done in the past year. Crystal
currently has five certified tree inspectors. Their primary focus is tree inspection, maintenance,
and replacement throughout the year. City staff and contractors removed 225 trees in 2023, 66
of which were hazardous. The existence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) is a concern and the
motivation for increased tree removals. The goal is a one-for-one replacement. Trees removed
on city and private properties are being replaced with a wider diversity of specimens, which
leads to a healthier and more diverse urban forest. The goal is to have no more than 5% of any
species within Crystal. A gravel bed nursery has been an effective way to create an accessible
and more cost-effective source for trees.
Fortin also reviewed the Tree City USA program. The requirements include having a Tree
Board, a public tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with annual budget of at
least $2 per capita, and an arbor day observance and proclamation.
Tree Board members discussed the May 1 Arbor Day event. The event will be held at Skyway
Park, with a park clean-up at 6 pm and other activities beginning at 6:30 pm. The city will hand
out 40 trees to residents, and plant one tree in the park. Trees are being provided by the
Friends of Crystal Parks. If any trees remain, they will be planted in the city’s tree nursery.
Schultz made a motion to adjourn the meeting; McCaffrey seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2025, at 6:45 p.m. – at the Crystal Community Center.
John Elholm
Recorder