Tree Board 4/8/25

Tree Board Meeting Recap: April 8, 2025

The Montreat Tree Board convened on April 8, 2025, for their monthly meeting. While attendance was slightly smaller than usual due to some board member absences (Mason and George), the meeting proceeded efficiently, focusing on several key initiatives impacting Montreat’s trees and green spaces.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the ongoing Hemlock restoration project, a collaborative effort with the Montreat Regional Association (MRA) and the Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI). The project will be scaled back to a one-day treatment event on April 22nd (with April 23rd as a backup), preceded by tree marking on April 10th. Approximately twelve volunteers have already signed up to participate, and a budget of $1300 has been allocated for the treatment. Beyond this immediate project, the board explored potential collaboration with the Swannanoa Valley Tree Alliance to showcase Montreat’s “treasure trees” – those of significant historical or ecological value.

Beyond restoration efforts, the board finalized plans for Arbor Day activities on April 25th at the post office. Residents can expect information tables from 9:30 AM to 12 PM and again from 2-4 PM, providing details on tree restoration projects, Firewise initiatives, and local flora. A more long-term initiative was also proposed by Brad Hester: exploring the feasibility of a community garden on town property off Virginia Avenue, behind the post office. This location already boasts existing beds, a water source, and fencing, making it an attractive option for community engagement. Finally, the board initiated discussions about a potential chestnut restoration project, recognizing that chestnuts were historically prevalent in the Montreat area. They plan to connect with The Chestnut Foundation for more information and potential programming, potentially culminating in a fall event.

During the meeting, the board unanimously approved both the agenda and the minutes from their previous meeting on March 11th. A brief discussion arose regarding online viewing of board meetings and whether attendees could be identified, but no definitive answer was reached. A suggestion was made to better integrate the Tree Board's work with other town committees, such as MRA and the college.

Looking ahead, several key action items were assigned to board members: Elizabeth Hamilton will continue coordinating the Hemlock restoration project; Brad Hester will research a fall event related to chestnut restoration and investigate previously planted chestnut trees, as well as explore the community garden proposal; Tyler Smith will conduct a right-of-way tree inventory with Barry and Kyle Patton. All board members are preparing for Arbor Day activities, ensuring informational materials are ready and volunteer schedules are finalized. Finally, the board agreed to implement a system for tracking volunteer hours to maintain Tree City USA recognition. A discussion about a potential fall event will be the focus of the next meeting, demonstrating the board’s commitment to ongoing engagement and community involvement in Montreat's tree-related initiatives.