Frankenmuth

Hello Neighbors, Our town takes pride in its beautiful streetscape, a key component of which is our many trees. Have you ever wondered who manages them? That's where your local Tree Board comes in. We're a dedicated group of volunteers working in partnership with the city's Department of Public Works (DPW) to ensure our urban forest thrives. What We Do Simply put, we're here to manage and protect the trees within our city. This includes everything from planting new trees and maintaining existing ones, to assessing tree health and removing those that pose a safety hazard. Why We Do It Trees are more than just a beautiful backdrop. They clean our air, reduce energy costs, increase property values, and contribute to the overall well-being of our community. We believe in the importance of a healthy urban forest for both present and future generations. Our Mission Our mission is to enhance and preserve our city's urban forest through responsible management, education, and community engagement. We strive to create a sustainable and healthy environment where trees and people can flourish together. We're excited to share our work and keep you informed about the ongoing efforts to care for our city's valuable trees. This quarter, we needed to remove 36 trees, and we planted 30 new ones. You might be wondering why we needed to remove those trees, so here's a quick rundown: • Dead Trees - For our purposes, a dead tree is defined as one that has experienced a prolonged decline and shows clear signs of no longer sustaining life. • Sick Trees - A diseased tree is one that is suffering from an underlying health problem, whether it's a fungal infection, bacterial disease, or pest infestation. • Safety First - Some trees have big cracks, are leaning dangerously, or have suffered storm damage. Recently, we've observed a significant impact from maple decline within our city, particularly affecting Norway maples. As a result, the city has had to remove a number of these trees to prevent further spread and ensure public safety. Maple decline isn't a single disease, but rather a condition where maple trees gradually lose their health and vigor. It's often triggered by a combination of stressors, such as drought, extreme temperatures, poor soil, or pollution. Essentially, these stressors weaken the tree, making it susceptible to secondary problems like fungal infections and insect infestations. Visibly, maple decline shows up as thinning leaves, dieback of branches which starts at the tip and moves progressively inward toward the trunk, and premature yellowing or browning of foliage. Over time, the tree's overall structure weakens, and if the decline is severe enough, it can lead to the tree's death. Addressing Concerns We understand there have been concerns regarding the number of trees being removed in our community. It's important to differentiate between city-managed removals and those conducted by Consumers Energy for line clearing, a process over which the city has no authority. Last fall, for instance, Consumers Energy removed 56 trees along Genesee and Churchgrove to ensure clear power lines. While necessary, these removals can drastically alter our landscape. To mitigate this impact, the city is planning to replant approximately three-quarters of those lost trees in the fall of 2025. We will be selecting tree species that are better suited for the space, with the goal of minimizing future conflicts with power lines and reducing the need for extensive trimming or removal in the years to come. We know it's sad to see trees go, but we're always working to plant new ones and keep our town green. Upcoming We're proud to share that our city has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for an impressive 44 years! For us, this commitment extends beyond simply meeting the requirements for recognition. Each year, we actively engage our community in tree planting, particularly through our partnership with the third-grade class at List Elementary. This annual tradition allows us to educate our youngest residents about the importance of trees and foster a sense of stewardship for our urban forest. Your Tree Board is dedicated to continuous improvement of our urban forest, and we're proud to share our efforts with the community. Please don't hesitate to contact us at cityhall@frankenmuthcity.com with your questions or concerns. DEAD DISEASE SAFETY 39% 14% 47% Trees Removed by City By Abigail Wagner KEEPING OUR URBAN FOREST HEALTHY 3

• Cover