Requesting Approval of Tree Work, Minneapolis Meditation Group SiteThe managing council of the Minneapolis Meditation Group is requesting approval to proceed with tree trimming / tree removal work on our property. The reasons for this work include risk to the chapel from large branches falling on it, and risk to the Norway spruce tree our group planted shortly after acquiring the building.In all, there are seven trees or clusters that are involved:
- American Elm (24” trunk diameter) RECOMMENDATION: EXTENSIVE PRUNING OR REMOVAL
- Hackberry cluster RECOMMENDATION: MODERATE PRUNING
- Arbor vitae RECOMMENDATION: LIGHT PRUNING
- Hackberry (14” trunk diameter) RECOMMENDATION: REMOVAL, STUMP GRINDING
- White mulberry (15” trunk diameter) RECOMMENDATION: REMOVAL, STUMP GRINDING
- White mulberry cluster RECOMMENDATION: REMOVAL, STUMP GRINDING
- Lilac cluster RECOMMENDATION: REMOVAL, STUMP GRINDING
The trunk of the American elm (shown as number 1 in the diagram) resides on our immediate north neighbor’s property. The branches of this tree are growing over the chapel, creating a risk of damage to the building. Extensive pruning (estimated 31%) will greatly reduce the risk to the building. Although the neighbor’s permission is not required to complete this work per Minneapolis law, representatives of the Minneapolis Meditation Group will provide information to them and listen to their concerns. ALTERNATIVE TO PRUNING: REMOVE THE TREE SO THAT A STUMP APPROXIMATELY THE HEIGHT OF THE FENCE REMAINS. This would require the neighbor’s permission. It has the advantage of eliminating future pruning of the tree by the Minneapolis Meditation Group, which will otherwise need to be done every 3 – 5 years.
The hackberry cluster (item 2 in the diagram) is impinging on the shed roof; pruning will address this issue.
An arbor vitae (item 3 in the diagram) branch is impinging on the shed roof and siding; pruning will address this issue.
The Norway spruce (not numbered in the diagram) was planted by the Minneapolis Meditation Group close to the time that the property was acquired. It was chosen to be a focal point of the landscaping. At present the tree is very healthy; pruning or removal of trees 4 and 5 needs to be done very soon to preserve the health of this tree.
The hackberry (item 4 in the diagram) and the white mulberry (item 5 in the diagram) are problematic. These two trees were “volunteers”, that is, they were not planted but took root by chance. If removed now, the damage they will likely otherwise do to the Norway spruce will be eliminated. These two trees are too close to the Norway spruce. While the Norway spruce appears in very good health, there are very early signs of issues from shading and competition for water and nutrients from the soil from the two volunteer trees. ALTERNATIVE TO REMOVAL: PRUNING. Removal of these volunteers is preferred to pruning because pruning does not eliminate threats to the Norway spruce. Pruning simply delays the time when the volunteers would have to be removed due to the imminent threat to the health of the Norway spruce. If we wait to remove them, we will need to spend considerable funds keeping them pruned, as well as pay much more for the trees’ removal at some future date due to their increased sizes. The future cost of removal, partially due to the need for a crane, could exceed $20,000. Therefore although pruning is an option, the managing council does not see pruning as an attractive option.
The white mulberry cluster (item 6 in the diagram) is the result of a partially successfully effort to remove it some years ago. Sprouts are growing from the stump. Grinding should result in a more permanent solution.
The lilac cluster (item 7 in the diagram) is growing into the chain link fence at multiple points, causing damage to the fence. Again, removal rather than pruning is the sensible option.
American elm
Illustrates how close to the fence this tree is. If tree removal is the chosen option, this photo shows the height of the fence, which is the shortest the stump can be cut from a financial feasibility point of view.
Hackberry cluster
Arbor vitae
