HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-12-2025 Fairhope Tree Committee MinutesFairhope Tree Committee Meeting Minutes 11-12-25
Attendees Present: Paul Fontenot, Will Mastin, Justin Hammers, May Moss Parker, Skip
Jones, Knox McMurphy, Carol Sullivan
- It was determined that a quorum of members was present at the meeting so the
meeting was called to order at around 3:10 pm.
- There were no meeting minutes from previous meeting so approval of previous
meetings notes was not possible. It was agreed that the previous meeting notes
would be put up for approval at next Tree Committee meeting.
- Discussion was had on making preparations for Arbor Day 2026. Days
recommended for Arbor Day 2026 would be well after Mardi Gras holidays.
- The dates of February 21st or 28th 2026 were recommended and agreed by all present
that could be acceptable dates. The committee would like to review these dates
with city Special Events staff (Paige Tuberville) and Gayle Fogarty and the Mayor for
approval.
- Also discussed was setting a date for the Arbor Day poster judging contest with local
schools. It was determined that a date in early February would be appropriate time
to hold judging for Arbor day posters.
- Annual Beautification awards were also discussed. It would be required to talk with
Erik Cortinas in the Building Dept. to get a list of projects completed in 2025 to be
able to condense a list of nominees. This judging should also occur in late January
or early February of 2026.
- Seedlings for Arbor Day giveaway were discussed. Justin Hammers procured a list
of tree seedling availability and committee discussed which trees were appropriate
and available. The trees that were settled upon were as follows
- Red Maple, Red Buckeye, Yellow Poplar, Ashe Magnolia, Sweetbay Magnolia,
Blackgum, Shortleaf Pine, Longleaf Pine, Loblolly Pine, Sycamore, Sawtooth Oak,
Swamp White Oak, Willow Oak, and Post Oak.
- Justin Hammers was tasked with ordering 100 seedlings of each of these trees, with
the exception of Red Maple – which he was to order 200 – because of that varieties
popularity at the 2025 tree give away. (Justin has since ordered these trees on
11/13/25 from Superior Trees Inc.)
- Maymoss Parker suggested planting more Longleaf pine trees along Mobile Bay,
where many have died due to bark beetles.
- Discussion was had on a needed update to the tree ordinance.
- Next Tree Committee meeting will need to be prior to Arbor Day 2026 to make final
arrangements and preparations for the event. Dates proposed for the next Tree
Committee meeting were January 7th or January 14th of 2026. It was determined that
beautification award nominees will be determined at this next meeting.
- An update was given by Will Mastin on current tree removal, tree trimming, and tree
planting projects being performed by the City. Fairwood Drive, Veterans Drive,
Greeno Road (corridor 98 live oak trimming) and Fairhope building department tree
changes were discussed.
- A discussion was had on the state of the pine trees and bark beetle problems in the
new Nature Preserve and all around town. No clear solution to the beetle problem
seems present.
- Meeting was adjourned at 4:15 PM.