New Albany Tree Board Meeting – October 14, 2026

The New Albany Tree Board met on October 14, 2026, with the chair calling the meeting to order after attendance. With four members initially present, the chair noted that four votes were needed to pass a motion. The meeting covered a condemned pin oak at 522 East Market Street, a sidewalk complaint on Lafayette Drive, trunk-or-treat plans, and several city tree maintenance issues. No agenda or minutes were available; this summary is based on the meeting transcript.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Amelia Ritter, a resident of 522 East Market Street, expressed concern about the very large oak tree in front of her home. She said sizable branches had fallen, one narrowly missing cars; a branch fell on July 2 and another around Labor Day weekend. She stated that she and neighbors avoided parking under the tree because they feared falling limbs and that she wanted an expert opinion on whether the tree could be maintained or should be removed.
• Ritter indicated that she would be sad to lose the tree but agreed, after speaking with city arborist Mark, that the situation felt dangerous. She asked for input on what replacement tree might be planted.

Discussion Items

522 East Market Street Oak

• City arborist Mark reported that the tree had been on the city's radar; it had previously been discussed with the intent to save it. When he inspected on August 4, the tree still looked fairly good, but since then it had declined sharply, with leaf scorch and premature leaf shedding.
• Mark estimated that roughly 25 percent of the top of the tree had died back. He said he and two other certified arborists on his staff all concluded that removal was warranted; he had been the last holdout. He described the tree as one of the city's top three or five best trees and said its loss would be a major blow to the canopy and streetscape.
• Mark stated that the tree was suffering from bacterial leaf scorch, for which there are no effective treatments; it was in what he called a death spiral. The tree had a trunk as big as a car, wires on three sides, and removal would require closing the street and likely a crane. Mark estimated removal could take a day and a half. Members discussed the risk of waiting for a catastrophic failure.
• Members discussed the tree's history, noting it was reportedly planted during the Depression era and had outlived expectations.
• On replacement, Mark recommended a native tree and cautioned against planting an overly large tree. He cited research showing that a two-inch caliper tree often catches up to and outpaces a much larger, more expensive tree. He suggested a willow oak as a fast-growing oak, while noting the board's usual preference for native species.
• Board members discussed site preparation after removal: complete stump grinding, removal of old mulch, importing soil, working around the water meter, and replanting in the same general area or nearby to improve success.

Lafayette Drive Sidewalk Complaint

• The board reviewed an email from Stephanie Griffith about a constituent near 1111 Lafayette Drive, possibly 1110, whose sidewalk was being lifted by a tree.
• Members identified what appeared to be the tree at 1107 Lafayette Drive and noted that it had already been removed, so the original concern may already be resolved, though sidewalk repair may still be needed.
• The board agreed to refer the sidewalk issue to the Board of Works and asked Mark to drive through the area to check for other trees causing trip hazards. A motion passed to do so.

Trunk or Treat Participation

• The Tree Board discussed participating in the city's trunk-or-treat event rather than Harvest Homecoming. A spot had been reserved at trunk-or-treat, scheduled for October 24, 2026, roughly 5 to 8 p.m. at the amphitheater. The event would be held in the garage if it rained, after formal approval by the redevelopment commission.
• Board members planned to have a vehicle, hand out candy and tree-themed giveaways such as pencils or saplings, and possibly wear costumes or tree board hats. Volunteers were sought; at least one member planned to attend for part of the event.

Other Tree Maintenance Items

• Mark reported that the stump in front of Brooklyn and Butcher had been ground out, but a narrow concrete curb or box around the tree pit made full grinding and future replanting difficult. The board agreed to send photos and details to Larry and the Board of Works for possible spot improvements and to reach out to the owner, Ian, with options.
• A member reported a dead zelkova near 15th Street in the Esplanade; Mark confirmed several zelkovas of about the same size had died that summer and said he would remove and replace it.
• A member reported that many recently planted trees along the Mona Trail between the 600 and 900 blocks of East Main looked dead or unhealthy, including one planted in front of a gate. The issue had been forwarded to Claire, who said she would have the contractor inspect; the trees were under warranty.

Key Outcomes

• The board voted to remove the oak tree at 522 East Market Street; no dissenting votes were recorded. The motion, as transcribed, referred to '52 East Market Street' and included grinding the stump, preparing the site, and replanting a native tree, likely a willow oak, in or near the same location.
• The board agreed to coordinate removal with the Board of Works, street department and/or police, notify the block, and keep affected residents informed. Signage at the site was discussed as a way to explain that a new tree would be planted.
• The board passed a motion referring the Lafayette Drive sidewalk issue to the Board of Works and requesting a visual check of nearby trees.
• Mark was asked to handle the dead zelkova and to verify conditions along the Mona Trail, while the sidewalk and tree-pit issue at Brooklyn and Butcher was referred to Larry and the Board of Works.