City Square Tree Replacement

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The City of Duncan would like to extend our sincere thanks to all who participated in the City Square Tree Replacement Survey. Based on your feedback, we are pleased to announce that the five existing American Sweetgum trees will be replaced with Red Pointe Maple trees.

While the exact timeline for the work is still being finalized, the replacement is scheduled to take place in early spring. We look forward to enhancing the beauty and sustainability of the City of Duncan and City Square with these new trees.


SURVEY CLOSED

Why are the trees being replaced?

The American Sweetgum trees in City Square were planted in 2005 as part of the City Square upgrades. In the time since, it has become evident that these trees are unfortunately not suitable for the locations where they were planted and needed to be removed and replaced.

The decision to remove the American Sweetgum trees is based on several factors. At full maturity, these trees reach heights of 60-70 feet with a spread of 40-50 feet. The trees on the west side of City Square are planted within 10 feet of buildings, while those in the center of the square are spaced just 10 feet apart. This limited space restricts the full expansion of their canopies. Additionally, the trees have a shallow root system that is sensitive to pollution and has caused multiple tripping hazards by lifting the brick paving stones.

Moreover, the species is susceptible to large branch failures due to weak branch attachments, a problem exacerbated during significant snowfall or in the spring when heavy seed pods form on the limbs. These issues are especially concerning given the high pedestrian and vehicular traffic beneath the trees through City Square. The seedpods shedding also creates an additional tripping and/or slipping hazard.


Please note that all of the trees that are shading the benches in City Square will remain in place. Only the five Sweetgum trees along the middle of the parking aisles are being removed and replaced.



What is the City doing about it?

In City Square, Public Works has been progressively replacing the American Sweetgum trees in response to these issues and concerns:

  • In 2021, the two Sweet Gum trees on the west side of Craig Street, at the entrance and exit to City Square (i.e. in front of Impeccable Jewelry and Pharmasave) were removed and replaced.
  • In 2022, the three Sweet Gum trees at the north end of the planters along Ingram Street were also removed and replaced.
  • In 2024, the five remaining sweetgum trees along the middle of the parking aisles are planned to be removed in the Fall. While this will be a significant change for City Square all at one time, this is the most efficient and cost-effective approach for removing the remaining five sweetgum trees. Once the trees are removed, the new replacement trees will be planted immediately with the opportunity for them to grow into full-size mature trees in time.


What can you do to help?

The City is seeking your assistance in selecting the most suitable tree species to replace the five American Sweetgum trees along the middle of the parking aisle in City Square. We encourage residents to participate in this decision-making process by completing a brief (2-question) survey to provide feedback on their preferred tree species, you can view the three proposed tree species here, or by clicking on the City Square Tree Replacement Documents link found to the right. Your input will play a crucial role in ensuring that the chosen trees align with the community’s needs while enhancing the beauty and safety of City Square for years to come.




The City of Duncan would like to extend our sincere thanks to all who participated in the City Square Tree Replacement Survey. Based on your feedback, we are pleased to announce that the five existing American Sweetgum trees will be replaced with Red Pointe Maple trees.

While the exact timeline for the work is still being finalized, the replacement is scheduled to take place in early spring. We look forward to enhancing the beauty and sustainability of the City of Duncan and City Square with these new trees.


SURVEY CLOSED

Why are the trees being replaced?

The American Sweetgum trees in City Square were planted in 2005 as part of the City Square upgrades. In the time since, it has become evident that these trees are unfortunately not suitable for the locations where they were planted and needed to be removed and replaced.

The decision to remove the American Sweetgum trees is based on several factors. At full maturity, these trees reach heights of 60-70 feet with a spread of 40-50 feet. The trees on the west side of City Square are planted within 10 feet of buildings, while those in the center of the square are spaced just 10 feet apart. This limited space restricts the full expansion of their canopies. Additionally, the trees have a shallow root system that is sensitive to pollution and has caused multiple tripping hazards by lifting the brick paving stones.

Moreover, the species is susceptible to large branch failures due to weak branch attachments, a problem exacerbated during significant snowfall or in the spring when heavy seed pods form on the limbs. These issues are especially concerning given the high pedestrian and vehicular traffic beneath the trees through City Square. The seedpods shedding also creates an additional tripping and/or slipping hazard.


Please note that all of the trees that are shading the benches in City Square will remain in place. Only the five Sweetgum trees along the middle of the parking aisles are being removed and replaced.



What is the City doing about it?

In City Square, Public Works has been progressively replacing the American Sweetgum trees in response to these issues and concerns:

  • In 2021, the two Sweet Gum trees on the west side of Craig Street, at the entrance and exit to City Square (i.e. in front of Impeccable Jewelry and Pharmasave) were removed and replaced.
  • In 2022, the three Sweet Gum trees at the north end of the planters along Ingram Street were also removed and replaced.
  • In 2024, the five remaining sweetgum trees along the middle of the parking aisles are planned to be removed in the Fall. While this will be a significant change for City Square all at one time, this is the most efficient and cost-effective approach for removing the remaining five sweetgum trees. Once the trees are removed, the new replacement trees will be planted immediately with the opportunity for them to grow into full-size mature trees in time.


What can you do to help?

The City is seeking your assistance in selecting the most suitable tree species to replace the five American Sweetgum trees along the middle of the parking aisle in City Square. We encourage residents to participate in this decision-making process by completing a brief (2-question) survey to provide feedback on their preferred tree species, you can view the three proposed tree species here, or by clicking on the City Square Tree Replacement Documents link found to the right. Your input will play a crucial role in ensuring that the chosen trees align with the community’s needs while enhancing the beauty and safety of City Square for years to come.




Page last updated: 07 Nov 2024, 12:00 PM