At its quarterly meeting last month, the Macomb Tree Board welcomed Tim Howe as its new chair. He was appointed July 23 by Mayor Mike Inman.
A retired city forester, Howe has been involved with Macomb tree activity since 1991. He took a 10-year break after his city retirement.
'I've got a passion for our trees and our community,' he told the board.
Howe expressed his appreciation for the work of the two previous board chairs, Randy Powell who served for 20 years, and Morris Vos who served for 14 years.
Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann told the board that Macomb continues to seek a city forester. She said a national search produced two applicants but that neither was qualified.
'We are proud of our Tree City designation,' she said, 'and our goal is to continue to have a forester on staff.'
Ohrtmann said tree planting is planned for the area around Macomb High School after current water main construction is done. She said Macomb is contracting out any necessary tree removals in the absence of a forester.
The board discussed the planting this fall of two Dogwood trees in memory of Pat Roark and her son, Denny. Board member Barrie McVey asked that Sweet Gum trees be removed from the city's list of acceptable plantings.
'They are plugging up the streets and people are slipping on the leaves,' she said. Howe said the entire acceptable tree list should be updated because it was drawn up in the 1990s.
Board members agreed to hold their quarterly meetings on the second Thursday of each appropriate month. The next meetings are set for Sept. 10 and Dec. 10.
