PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — The city’s Shade Tree Commission will meet Wednesday to review a $10,000 pruning plan that would send crews to trees scattered across downtown, including a cluster of established trees along Second Street, as part of its ongoing work to maintain Portsmouth’s tree canopy.
The meeting is scheduled for noon at the Welcome Center Boardroom, according to an agenda the city posted to its Facebook page.
Under the proposed prune list, work would target two trees near NW Title, one American holly at Greenlawn, four trees along the east side of Market Street, three trees near a downtown site identified in the agenda only as “MSP,” and most of the established trees along Second Street near Wright’s, 429 Second St. and Candyland, the agenda shows. The city is weighing separate cost estimates for that work before crews are sent out.
Commissioners also plan to discuss an update on the city’s Urban Tree Grant work this fall, tied to Portsmouth’s Tree City USA standing, along with the city’s effort to replace artificial turf that has been laid over tree wells around Portsmouth. The agenda also calls for an update on the condition of trees near McKinley Pool and early planning for the city’s 2027 Arbor Day observance.
The commission is also set to review notes from its October meeting and an update on its tree-watering bag inventory. According to the agenda, a contractor advised the commission that nine watering bags had to be discarded and recommended the city order roughly 20 more as backups heading into next year.
The Shade Tree Commission is a nine-member city body made up of the director of public service, the city’s forester designee, one member of City Council and six resident volunteers appointed by council, according to city code. It advises Portsmouth on the planting, maintenance and removal of trees throughout the city.
The commission’s next meeting after Wednesday is scheduled for December.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the City of Portsmouth.
