Salina Parks Crews Address Storm Tree Losses, Cite Multi-Year Replanting Timeline

The Salina Parks and Recreation Advisory Board discussed the city's efforts to recover from storm-related tree damage during its Aug. 19 meeting.

Staff reported that forestry crews continued limb damage cleanup through July, including work targeting hanging limbs over city streets to reduce hazards. A contractor finished tree removal work in July.

A board member asked whether removed trees would be replaced. Staff said the city typically plants what it can maintain in a year, estimating between 8 and 12 trees annually, and that dry, hot summers make watering new trees challenging. As a result, staff said, recovering from the storm losses "is going to take years."

Staff said the cemetery lost around 44 trees total and indicated that Thomas Park was among the hardest hit. Detailed per-park loss numbers were expected to be presented at the next meeting. Staff also noted that at least 10 new trees had recently been planted in the Santa Fe and fifth and seventh area, adding that there is "more demand than we have supply right now."