An urban forestry project was approved by the Iola Village Board at its Feb. 10 meeting.
The Urban Forestry class at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point requested the board’s approval to use the village of Iola as a practice site. Several of the students attended the board meeting.
According to Richard Hauer, of the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources, the class will collect information and develop urban forestry plans, at no cost to the village.
Hauer said that groups of students will begin the project at the end of February until the end of April or beginning of May. There will be four groups of about six students each, with each group developing its own urban forestry plan.
The students will collect information about public tree resources, such as the number, size, species and condition of the village’s trees. This project will not include any private property.
The students asked if there were any major tree concerns in Iola.
Village trustee Terry Murphy said there were problems with the trees on Main Street. He noted some of the trees had needed to be removed.
Trustee David Harper asked if the students could make recommendations for the trees along the River Walk as far as which trees to keep, what type of trees could be added and what to prune.
The board members mentioned other areas of concern, such as the village park, Legion Park and what trees to plant near power lines.
“It always helps to look at something through a new set of eyes,” Harper said.
According to Hauer, UW-Stevens Point students have also gathered information for forestry plans in Rosholt, Stratford and Edgar. They work closely with the communities and with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.