Tarpon Springs RiverWatch

Added 03/15/2010  For a $1,650 Tarpon Springs tree bank donation fee (Evie words) we can choose NOT to replace the trees OR hold off on any decisions of WHAT to replace the diseased / dead trees with.  The paying of the fee passed the 3/15/10 meeting with a 3 yes - 2 no votes ... March 2009 my vote would have been a no - this year it was a yes :-( we have a beautiful community ~ these trees have given their all ~ let them pass on )

--------------------- Posted from the February Meeting Below --------------------

The trees along the entrance/exit of Riverwatch will be addressed this year. Here is a list of the trees approved by Tarpon Springs to replace them with.

From the City of Tarpon Springs

~ Development Services Department ~

Approved Tree List (Section 134.03, LDC)

All trees shall be grade Florida #1 or better, in a 15 gallon pot, and have a minimum 1 and 1/2 inch diameter measured 12 inches above ground, with a minimum crown of 2 feet and a minimum height of 6 feet upon planting. The species shall come from the following list unless an alternative planting material is approved by the City Staff.

*Names are the three highly recommended by the person who gave the list to Nick (of our landscaping company Nik's) The links to the trees are for information purposes only ... purchasing of the chosen trees will be done as locally as possible.

(1) Native - Common Name (Botanical Name)
Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica v. biflora)
Cypress, Bald (Taxodium distichum)
Cypress, Pond (Taxodium ascendens)
*Florida Elm (Ulmus americana v floriana)
Florida Maple (Acer saccharum)
Holly, American (Ilex x attenuata)
Holly, Dahoon (Ilex Cassine)
Holly, Deciduous (Ilex decidua)
Holly, East Palatka (Ilex opaca)
Magnolia (Magnolia grandflora)
Oak, Laurel (Quercus laurifolia)
*Oak, Live (Quercus virginiana)
Oak, Shumard (Quercus shumardii)
Pine, Longleaf (Pinus palustris)
Pine, Slash (Pinus elliottii engelm)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Redbay (Persea Borbonia)
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
*Southern Red Cedar (Tuniperns silicicola)
Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Sycamore (Platanus occidentals)

(2) Cultivated
Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)
Golden Rain (Koelreuteria formosanon) - I do not know WHY this is an approved tree. Sounds much like Pepper-trees.
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo) - another tree that should NOT be approved :-( from the site this link goes to "... Here, the tree is described as having " ... a long taproot and an extensive lateral root system, often at the soil surface and producing suckers (PIER, 2006)." Apparently, that sissoos are spreading throughout Arizona must be a secret, because according to the site, the tree is "... known to be invasive in Australia and in Florida (U.S.)"  ... "

Maybe City Staff should do some due diligence?

(3) Palm Trees, when used, shall be planted in groups of not less than three (3) individual plants, and shall not constitute more than 25% of the required trees.