Nick Kuhn headed to AlbuquerqueNick Kuhn headed to Albuquerque

McMinnville?s first urban forester, Nick Kuhn, is leaving after six years to take a job in Albuquerque, N.M.

The following is a letter from Kuhn to the citizens of McMinnville:

?I want to thank everyone who helped or supported the Urban Forestry Department over the years. I hope that many have learned from our example of the best tree care possible and continue in the future to improve the entire city?s urban forest. I hope everyone realized over the years my main concern has been, and always will be, for the trees and to make McMinnville a better place to live.

?I have accomplished many things in the last six years as McMinnville?s first city forester including; a city-wide tree pruning program, tree planting at every city site and every school, plantings at many other public sites including roadsides, educational programs for everyone, established an arboretum, and design and planting of the Main Street Renovation Project. I would like to come back in a few years and see things have only gotten better for the city.?

Kuhn would like to leave local residents these reminders:

1. Stop topping your trees! It will never be the right thing to do and I challenge anyone to find some proof otherwise. Show me a book, Web site, TV show, anything where a tree expert can prove topping is better for trees than my methods and I will gladly change.

2. Remove all the rope and burlap when planting a tree. Roots grow faster than burlap will decompose and most rope will never break down. Don?t plant too deep or over-mulch either. All Main Street trees have had all materials removed and every one has survived transplant. We have planted thousands of trees in six years and have an almost 99 percent survival rate.

3. Remember, if you are not moving forward you are falling behind. People who always do things the same way and fight change are holding everyone else back. I?m not talking about the easy pace of everyone?s life but change in the form of personal advancement to be a better person and to be better at your job is always a worthwhile cause.

Kuhn?s last day as urban forester will be May 2 but the memory of what he brought to McMinnville?s horticultural landscape will have a place in history as the Board of Mayor and Aldermen have passed ordinance 1719 in recognition of his loyalty and dedicated service to McMinnville.