Fayette’s Board of Aldermen made three decisions last week for the sake of trees throughout the city. During its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 26, the council voted to treat five ash trees along Highway 240 by the Fayette City Cemetery at the south entrance of town. Local arborist Dakota Wells will treat the trees against the invasive Emerald Ash Borer at a cost of $1,920. The funds for the treatment were included in the current fiscal year budget.

“The City of Fayette will assess how the five treated entranceway trees fare, and re-treatment for those five in two years will be at the discretion of the city,” explained Southwest Ward Alderwoman Bekki Galloway, who is also a member of the city’s tree board and has spearheaded efforts to protect trees in Fayette.

The five trees are the healthiest of 12 along the town’s entrance. The other seven have been designated for removal and replacement. 

Wells, the owner of Tree Remedies in Fayette, recently treated nine ash trees in the Fayette City Park last spring. The trees will be retreated every other year for 10 years, the cost of which is covered by a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Cost Share “Trim” grant.

Alderwoman Galloway also submitted a new 2023 Cost Share “Trim” grant application this week on behalf of Fayette’s tree board and the city council. The application asks for assistance with the removal and replacement of 15 trees along the Highway 240 corridor at the entrance to town and the park.

Galloway said the city plans to plant 18 trees this fall, 12 of which were provided by the Forest ReLeaf organization in St. Louis.

Seventy-seven trees in Fayette have been recommended for removal by the Davey Resource Group Inventory, which was completed in January. These do not include dead or dying trees located on personal property. 

“Our community tree canopy is threatened by disease, infestation and drought,” Alderwoman Galloway said.

The Fayette Tree Board encourages community members to replace trees that are removed when possible. Those needing to replace trees on their properties can find guidance in choosing the right tree by checking the Appendix C within the Davey Resource Group Standard Inventory Analysis and Management Plan available at City Hall, and on the City of Fayette website: https://cityoffayettemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Fayette_MO_Tree_Management_Plan_Updated_1.pdf.

Trees that will grow large canopies need to be at least 30 feet away from power lines. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board also accepted a bid from Nelson Tree Service for removal and stump grinding of several trees throughout town and the city park. The bid was for $7,175. It was the second lowest of six bids received.

The city council meets regularly at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month in City Hall. Meetings are open, agendas are published in advance, and the public is invited.