A renewed effort is being made in Lexington to protect trees at city funded construction sites. Members of the council’s Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee heard an update last week.
Susan Plueger, Environmental Services Director, says the aim is to get all city departments on the same page when it comes to vegetation during capital construction. “So, if you’re doing a construction project and you’re planning to keep certain trees, those trees need to be protected during construction so they’re not damaged,”
John Saylor, program manager in natural resource operations, says it’s a more integrated approach to urban forestry. He says it can play a role in helping to preserve a tree canopy around Lexington. “There is not gonna be equipment parked under it, nicking the trunk, causing that damage,” said Saylor.
Newly appointed City Arborist Heather Wilson hopes there’s more preliminary review of new developments. She says that should help facilitate protection zones for trees at a construction site.?
