Urban-forest inventory work under way; board discusses follow-up from tree giveaway

Philomath staff and volunteers reported progress toward a GIS-backed urban-forest inventory and discussed lessons from a recent tree-giveaway effort, including data-cleanup and follow-up challenges.

Staff described past mapping efforts and an ongoing process to populate a GIS dataset that will identify which trees in the city are municipal assets versus private trees. Volunteers said data collected earlier had inconsistencies (incorrect or missing addresses) and that many distributed seedlings remained in pots rather than planted; board members reported that only a small share of giveaway trees had been verified in the ground.

Members suggested assigning a single point person to coordinate outreach and distribution so fewer recipients fall through the cracks, and they discussed supplementing future giveaways with larger potted trees that may have higher survival rates. Staff said the GIS dataset is being collected and will inform future canopy-cover work and management decisions.

No formal decisions or motions were recorded; the board agreed to revisit the urban-forest manual and inventory progress after the Arbor Day event.