SALEM Survey to assess health of publicly owned trees

About 100 trees posing a hazard are generally removed after the survey.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Starting Monday, tree experts will be examining the health of the more than 3,000 trees planted in publicly owned curb lawns in the city.
The aim of the survey, ordered by the city shade tree commission, is to identify those trees that are in danger of being toppled by high winds, explained David Navoyosky, commission chairman.
Curb-lawn trees designated as hazards will be chopped down, Navoyosky said.
A curb lawn is the strip of grass between public streets and sidewalks.
Surveys are conducted every five years of trees growing in the city's curb lawn and typically result in "death sentences" for about 100 trees that pose a risk.
Davey Resource Group of Kent was hired to do this year's survey, which will take about a week, for $1.68 per tree, with a contract ceiling of $6,400.
Ongoing efforts
The shade tree commission also keeps tabs on tree conditions in curb lawns in between survey years and has hazardous trees taken down whenever they're detected. About 50 trees are axed annually through that effort.
The commission's goal isn't just to remove trees, however.
It also tries to replace those taken down with new trees, which generally stand 12 feet to 15 feet high, Navoyosky said.
Although the commission, a municipal entity, is funded with city dollars, it receives donations in its tree replacement effort from the Salem Community Foundation, a local charitable organization.
The shade tree commission is made up of seven members, including the mayor.