Shade Tree Commission Meeting - July 29, 2026

The Shade Tree Commission of Delaware, Ohio, met on July 29, 2026, in the Byxbe Room at Mingo Park. The commission reviewed several landscape and tree canopy management plans, received the July 2026 Arborist Report, and approved consent items. No public comments were presented.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the motion summary from the May 26, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public attended or submitted comments.

Staff Comments and Update

• July 2026 Arborist Report: The city arborist reported seasonal activities. Statistics for the year to date:
  • Pruning: 2,326 trees total (1,816 in-house, 510 contracted).
  • Removals: 60 trees (46 in-house, 14 contracted).
  • Stump removal: 22 stumps (all in-house).
  • Service requests: 203 (all handled in-house).
• A decision was made to establish a 35-foot working height limit for safety; high work (e.g., bucket truck operations, rigging) will be contracted out in the future.

Discussion Items

• Howald Industrial Landscape Plan and Tree Canopy Management Plan: The plan preserves existing trees and adds hedge maple, silver linden, Shumard oak, and eastern redbud to achieve 31% canopy coverage. The commission approved the plan.
• Snappy Automotive – Belle Commons Tree Canopy Management Plan: The plan preserves 1.4 acres of existing trees (maple, green ash, Eastern cottonwood, box elder) achieving 36% coverage. Commissioners noted the lack of species selection for new plantings and expressed concern over the quality of species preserved. The plan was approved with encouragement to improve species diversity.
• 1137 Trailhead Crossing West (Lots B and C) Landscape Plan: Uses thornless honeylocust and London plane trees in parking lot islands, along with shrubs (witch hazel, gray owl juniper, fothergilla). Approved.
• 1137 Trailhead Crossing West Overall Tree Canopy Management Plan: Calculates 20% canopy coverage for the non-industrial site. Approved.
• Chick-fil-A Landscape Plan and Tree Canopy Management Plan: Uses London plane and oak trees. Commissioners noted that the proposed creeping mallow (or creeping lily) is listed as invasive in Virginia and Indiana and recommended substituting with native species. The plan was approved with that suggestion.

Key Outcomes

• All five landscape and tree canopy management plans were approved with minor comments and recommendations.
• The commission adjourned following a motion.