• 26 trees would be replaced with 28 trees
• 16 Bradford Pears would come out of Krutch Park
• 10 willow oaks along Market Street would be taken out, to be replaced with six trees.
• Six sawtooth oaks and 4-5 maples on Market Square would be removed.
• No details of species of trees to replace the existing trees have been "worked out," however pin oaks would not be considered
• The fence around Krutch Park would be taken down
• The water feature in Krutch Park would be refurbished
• Willow oaks along Market Street are considered by the designers to be "on the centerline of the mall" and presenting a "position issue" with their 25' centers
• Bricks that are coming up around willow oaks are considered to be a liability problem by the designers
• Willow oaks would be revealed to be "flat-sided" should the Bradford Pears be removed from Krutch Park, which would be considered to be a negative
• There is concern over the fact that the sawtooth oaks in the square obscure visibility from one end of the square to the other
• When pressed on the absolute need for symmetry, Mr. Fowler said, "Symmetry is important to connect the geometry of the two blocks" 
• Attention would be paid to the "hardscape" (the pavement and concrete features)
• Maples in the square would be transplanted elsewhere
• "Large-scale" 10-12" caliper trees would be planted
• Mayor Ashe is said to be "leaning in the direction" of the plan (although no final decision has been made) and "committed to making redevelopment happen."
• No hard copy was available for the board; the only copy of the drawing is with Mr. Fowler.

Discussion centered around:

• Species selection (this has not been considered yet)
• Need to retain some trees, rather than wiping out everything for a clean slate.  It was suggested to retain at least the sawtooth oaks in the square as a "legacy grove."
• Disagreement over the age of the sawtooth oaks; some think 1970s they were planted, others certain that they were planted as recently as 1986.  These trees are 21" in diameter.
• The absolute need for "symmetry" at the expense of the mature tree canopy we already have, and which could continue to beautify downtown for generations to come.
• Suggestions to reach a compromise and retain the sawtooth oaks and perhaps the willow oaks and gain visibility by pruning the lower branches.  It was pointed out that one can stand at Clinch Avenue even now and see the stage at the north end of Market Square. Pruning of the lower branches would make this view a clear shot.
• Lack of city maintenance which has created the problems that the designers and tree board see with the trees; how will future policy be changed to ensure the new trees' care?  It was pointed out that no degreed arborist works for the city.
• Importance of avoiding a monoculture: species-specific disease could wipe out entire stock of trees.  The board suggested that they be used to recommend types of trees for the plan.
• The blank wall of the Am South building and the height of both of the buildings surrounding the Krutch Park extension: park extension was seen to be "dead space" and problematic to deal with, even in the proposed drawing showing the trees against the buildings.  Mr. Fowler replied that these trees are really considered to be"placeholders" by the designers, for future redevelopment that may be considered.
• "Compartmentalization," which will be a problem with the transplanted trees.  When any tree is transplanted, the diameter of the tree at the time of replanting begins to die off.  After the tree gets over the initial stress of the transplanting process and begins to grow (sometimes taking years), there will be eventually be a hollow core inside the trunk the same size as the tree as when it was planted.  This is why the transplanting of large trees is so problematic, despite the expense of using larger trees ($5 - 10k apiece).
• The large willow tree in the park that is very close to the water feature: the tree board members consider it to have a lot of character and desire for it to be retained; however, it is likely that it would be destroyed by the process of refurbishing the water feature as proposed.
• The assessment that the willow oaks "flat-sided" character is reason to destroy them: the board believes that the flat-sided-ness is very subtle, except for the northernmost oak on Union Ave.
• The maples in the square: these have existed under very harsh conditions (little soil for the roots) and therefore have grown very little since they were planted.

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