Overall project includes over 1,000 stumps being removed

MARION — It’s been almost two years since the August 2020 derecho went through Eastern Iowa, but the recovery work is not over.

Many communities still are making repairs, planting trees and removing stumps from trees downed in the storm.

Marion has created a dashboard that provides residents with a real-time status report of stump removal progress in city rights of way.

Last summer, the city hired a contractor to assist with the removal of more than 1,000 right-of-way tree stumps. The city’s contract with Frank’s Tree Service is “not to exceed” $266,250.

Brent Neighbor, deputy director of the Marion Parks and Recreation Department, recently spoke with The Gazette about what it’s taken for the city and Frank’s Tree Service to get the job done.

Question: When you started, how many stumps did you know needed to be removed?

A: We calculated the right-of-way tree stump numbers based on the city right-of-way tree inventory compared with tree removal data by the storm response contractors during the cleanup effort. More than 1,000 right-of-way tree stumps needed to be removed, so a contractor was hired to assist with the large-scale removal.

Q: How was the stump-removal process initially approached? It's such a big task, I'm curious about the planning process.

A: We decided to have our Parks and Recreation employees and the Urban Forestry Division remove and restore stumps in parks and on other city-owned properties because we had the resources available to tackle that effort. The stumps located in the right-of-way require more time, labor and specialized equipment, so the decision was made to use a contractor for those stumps.

Delivered to your inbox every day

You will begin to receive our Daily News updates. Add newsletters@thegazette.com to your contacts.

Q: What’s the process for removing a stump? How long does it take to typically remove one stump?

A: The contractor is following a five-step procedure to remove the stumps. To streamline the process and because each step requires different equipment, they are working in multiple teams. The contractor is responsible for the underground utility locates for each stump. The contractor makes a flush cut to ensure the stump is cut as low to the ground as possible. Next, the crew grinds the stump and any root material that is visible above the grade. The chips are left behind until the next crew arrives. This crew is responsible for digging out the stump hole and removing all debris. Next comes backfilling and seeding. All tracks and ruts in the right-of-way that were caused by the stump removal activity will be leveled and filled. Seed is broadcast over fresh topsoil and lightly raked in. Finally, the Urban Forestry team visits each stump site to verify that all phases have been completed and are in acceptable condition. Any items requiring follow-up will be reported to the contractor to address before the contract is closed.

The amount of time it takes to remove and restore a stump varies and depends on the diameter of the stump, the species of tree (some are hardwoods, others are soft) and how many surface roots the stump grinder operator has to chase.

Q: To date, how many stumps have been removed? And when will the project be completed?

A: To date, 72 percent of approximately 1,100 right-of-way stumps have been removed and restored. The contract went into effect last July, and the work is expected to be completed by Nov. 1, 2022.

Q: How did the idea come about for a stump dashboard?

A: We used our GIS mapping resources in various ways during the initial storm response. Developing this tool was a natural extension of that work and one that city employees and our Tree Board encouraged as a way to communicate progress with the community.

Q: For the department, what other derecho work still needs to be done if any?

A: We have a couple of important wooded areas that are in the process of hazard mitigation. After the hazards are removed, replanting those areas will begin in the near future. There are also a few park facilities and amenities that are in the process of being repaired.

Q: Also, what has the tree planting process been like this year? Any updates there?

A: The exciting news here is that between grants, donations and city funding, we have been able to replant approximately 1,500 trees within parks and the right of way.

Comments: (319) 398-8255; gage.miskimen@thegazette.com

Elijah Decious Food & Drink Jun. 11, 2022 6:00 am

On Iowa Politics Jun. 17, 2022 5:41 pm

Minor League Sports 90m ago

Minor League Sports 3h ago

The Gazette is Iowa’s independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and national news coverage.