Bluffton’s Tree Commission is moving forward with several new plans as it enters the fall season.

Based upon meeting minutes from its August meeting, the commission intends to revise its list of recommended small street trees prior to considering planting for its West Elm Street project.

In addition, the commission made some revisions involving a new tree ordinance currently on Bluffton council’s desk. The current ordinance was approved in 2003.

Among those revisions concerns spacing of trees to reflect the recommendations from the Ohio Department of Natural  Resources Forestry Department.

Those recommendation:
• small trees are spaced 15 feet from the nearest tree
• medium trees are spaced 25 feet from the nearest tree
• large trees are spaced 40 feet from the nearest tree.

A tree cost sharing program similar to one in Delaware, Ohio, is also under review. It includes a 50-50 cost sharing between the village and residents, and, or, the planting of a resident-supplied tree, which meets with the commission’s approval.

In other action, the commission discussed adopting the Monarch USA program. If adopted, the village arboretum is under consideration for a site for the project.

An area of concern by the commission is the sudden oak death phenomenon. Cases of this are being reported in the region.

Members of the tree commission are selected by mayoral appointment. Current members include Jonathan Andreas, Becky Ramey, Nancy Benroth and Jon Sommer, with village representatives Jesse Blackburn and Ben Stahl.