Marion provides stump removal dashboard via city website

The city of Marion has created a dashboard that provides residents with a real-time status report of stump removal progress in the city right of way. It can be viewed at www.cityofmarion.org/urbanforestry.

Last summer, a contractor was hired to assist with the large-scale removal of more than 1,000 right-of-way tree stumps resulting from the August 2020 derecho storm. The removal process began in July 2021 and is expected to be complete by this November. To date, 72% of stumps have been removed.

The contractor is following a five-step procedure to remove the stumps and is working in multiple teams to streamline the process.

“Each step requires different equipment and supplies, so having the contractor work through neighborhoods in teams is the most efficient way to go about the removals,” said Marion city arborist Mike Cimprich. “At times, this may result in a delay of a couple of days between one step and the next.”

Wet conditions also may cause delays.

The contractor is responsible for locating underground utilities near each stump, grinding stumps below the grade in the right of way, cleanup of all woody chip debris, backfilling voids and final seeding of the site. Upon completion, each location will be inspected by a member of Marion’s Urban Forestry Division.

“We are excited to provide residents with this information at their fingertips,” Cimprich said. “While the progress may feel slow at times, the work is both necessary and very physical. Removing these stumps positions us for a strong recovery as the replanting process begins.”