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Record of Proceedings

Leesburg Tree Commission Meeting Summary – May 20, 2026

Town Council & Commissions — Wednesday, May 20, 2026
BodyLeesburg, Virginia
SessionTown Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, May 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:16:07

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:02

Yes, I checked it.

0:03

It was working.

0:04

All right.

0:05

I call this meeting to order.

0:08

Roll call.

0:09

Earl here.

0:11

John.

0:12

Here.

0:13

Alex.

0:14

Here.

0:16

Tara.

0:17

Present.

0:18

Katie.

0:19

Here.

0:20

And who's that?

0:21

Frank.

0:22

President.

0:24

Bill is here.

0:26

All right.

0:28

Looking at approval of the agenda.

0:39

There are any additions or suggestions.

0:45

Corrections.

0:51

Oh.

0:53

I uh we have to amend that and do you amend this?

0:58

That has indeed um made it.

1:04

Sorry, guys, the party garages.

1:08

Everybody too.

1:09

Thank you, Tara.

1:10

We thought you were absent today.

1:18

And do you have a copy of the agenda?

1:21

Um I do.

1:31

Yeah, this is both the same.

1:36

Should catch up to everybody, thanks.

2:16

Motion to accept the agenda as presented.

2:19

So move.

2:21

Okay.

2:29

All right.

2:29

Google above.

2:32

April 14 minutes.

2:37

You're not here.

2:38

You're not in the vote on the motion.

2:39

Oh, I thought we just did today.

2:41

Well, my brain did.

2:44

Oh.

2:45

Wait, let's stop.

2:46

Peggy.

2:47

What if my vote moved in second for the second second?

2:51

Now we need to add the vote.

2:52

Oh, ah.

2:55

All in favor.

2:57

Excuse me.

2:57

What were we approving?

2:59

The agenda.

3:00

Tonight's agenda.

3:01

Sorry.

3:02

All in favor.

3:03

Aye.

3:04

Any opposed.

3:05

So that's one abstention.

3:11

Never mind.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Bamboo Ordinances████████████████████20%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Tree Maintenance█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Public Engagement████████8%
Public Safety█1%
Budget Equity Analysis█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Leesburg Tree Commission Meeting Summary – May 20, 2026

The Leesburg Tree Commission met on May 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM to discuss tree planting events, maintenance issues, a proposed running bamboo ordinance, and the use of the tree fund. Key votes included supporting town debate on bamboo regulation and approving tree fund expenditures for maintenance.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda as presented, with one abstention. Voted on May 20 meeting agenda.
  • Approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made. Commissioners provided updates on various activities.

Discussion Items

  • Spring Tree Giveaway and Tree Losses: Commissioner Tara thanked members for covering the Treesburg giveaway. Roughly 350 trees were ordered; about 75 were given away at one event, with leftover trees planted at Tuscarora Creek. Approximately 25% of street trees planted on North King Street died due to drought, late frost, and harsh winter. Replacement will occur in fall under warranty.
  • Flower & Garden Show After Action: The event distributed approximately 1,500 trees. Redbuds were the most popular, selling out quickly; oaks and hickories were less desired. Commissioners suggested introducing more small flowering trees like dogwoods or serviceberries next year. The survey of attendees was hampered by wind, and better sign placement (entrance/exit) was recommended for future events.
  • Arbor Day at Harper Park: Despite cold rain, the event was successful. Students recited poems and the commissioner demonstrated tree planting.
  • Semi-Quincentennial Tree Planting: Attendance was low (only a few officials and commissioners present). The tree is in a good location but showing sun stress.
  • Tree Walk Historical Trees: The dogwood tree (#8) on the tree walk was killed by a car. Replacement options include the courthouse courtyard (healthy) or the chapel (tree is failing). Tree Walk trees at Morgan Park need TLC; some memorial trees are dying.
  • Commission Networking Event: Commissioners attended a cross‑commission meeting. The Arts Commission expressed interest in a “tree of life” sculpture. Collaboration with other commissions (e.g., Parks, Environmental) was discussed.
  • Running Bamboo Regulation: The Town Council is considering an ordinance similar to Loudoun County’s to control running bamboo encroachment. Commissioners debated enforcement challenges, costs to homeowners, and the need for assistance programs. A motion passed to support “town debate for consideration of a Leesburg ordinance and other means of control for the regulation of running bamboo.” The motion included civil penalties as an option.
  • Tree Fund Expenditure: Commissioners discussed using the balance of the tree fund (from developers when canopy requirements cannot be met) for tree maintenance (planting, pruning, watering). A motion passed to request the Council use the fund for fiscal year 2027 for maintenance, recognizing that grants seldom cover upkeep.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion on Running Bamboo: Passed unanimously (voice vote). The commission will submit its support for continued Council discussion, along with concerns about enforcement and homeowner assistance.
  • Motion on Tree Fund: Passed unanimously (voice vote). The commission will recommend using the fund balance for tree maintenance in FY2027.
  • Next Meeting: Scheduled for June 23, 2026 (not June 16), at 7:00 PM, same location. August meeting was left undecided pending further discussion.

Meeting Transcript

Yes, I checked it. It was working. All right. I call this meeting to order. Roll call. Earl here. John. Here. Alex. Here. Tara. Present. Katie. Here. And who's that? Frank. President. Bill is here. All right. Looking at approval of the agenda. There are any additions or suggestions. Corrections. Oh. I uh we have to amend that and do you amend this? That has indeed um made it. Sorry, guys, the party garages. Everybody too. Thank you, Tara. We thought you were absent today. And do you have a copy of the agenda? Um I do. Yeah, this is both the same. Should catch up to everybody, thanks. Motion to accept the agenda as presented. So move. Okay. All right. Google above. April 14 minutes. You're not here. You're not in the vote on the motion. Oh, I thought we just did today. Well, my brain did. Oh. Wait, let's stop. Peggy. What if my vote moved in second for the second second? Now we need to add the vote. Oh, ah. All in favor.

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