All the aging and possibly hazardous poplar trees located in a Rio Dell park will be soon removed, the city council decided with a few heavy hearts in a meeting Tuesday.

Memorial Park, located across the street from City Hall, has a row of trees that are leaning and cracking and haven’t fully recovered after a 2024 infestation of satin moths.

A satin moth. Vincent Malloy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The city plans on removing all trees in the park, totaling about 14, and replacing them.

In a report to the council Wednesday, City Manager Kyle Knopp said staff and the city’s tree service company found the trees need to be cut down due to their condition.

Knopp said the trees, believed to be planted around 1983, have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years and have recently deteriorated.

Pests infested the trees in 2009. They recovered, but a new infestation that partially defoliated the trees popped up in 2024 and they’ve not entirely recovered since.

“There is concern that many if not all of the trees are in the process of dying,” according to a staff report.

Randy Jensen, streets superintendent, said the trees are cracking. He also estimated 80-90% of the trees are leaning significantly, with one leaning onto a power line.

Any work to thin out the trees could mean a weight imbalance, said Jensen.

“As a public safety, liability concern, the issue does need to be addressed,” said Knopp, urging action on the issue. He suggested the council either engage a professional arborist to check the condition of the trees, or remove and replace the trees.

Councilmembers agreed they did not want to be known as tree killers, but pointed to liability concerns.

“I am a major tree person. But these trees are towards the ends of their lives, and the city is going to be liable if anything happens,” said Mayor Debra Garnes.

She was most concerned about the cracking and the age of the trees, estimated to be 43 years old.

Garnes pointed out people often park underneath the trees during Wildwood Days.

“I hate thinking of cutting down a tree just to do it. But there is a reason, and there is a liability to the city that’s attached to it,” she said.

Councilmember Amanda Carter agreed. “Just because it’s a tree doesn’t mean it’s a good tree,” she said.

Councilmember Julie Woodall leaned towards having an arborist check the trees out, just to make sure. Councilmember Robert Orr, on the other hand, said since it’s an issue of liability, “It’s time to replace!”

Two public commenters encouraged the city to replant the trees. One called for a community event to refresh the park.

The council voted unanimously to seek bids for tree removal, with one absence. Woodall said she voted in support with a heavy heart.

City Manager Kyle Knopp said in an email the trees will be removed as soon as possible, with the tree that leans into the power pole coming out sooner.

According to the staff report, staff will next begin the process of replacing the trees with a more pest-resistant variety and will research funding options.

The leading species contender is the Acer Bowhall, according to Knopp. He said city staff are recommending a variety that is resistant to pests, wind and lives longer than the poplar, but it will be up to the council.