The city could suffer a greater loss if it were to plant new trees now instead of holding off until next winter, when trees with higher-quality rootstock become available.

Typically, organizations purchasing a large number of trees should place their orders one year in advance to ensure getting trees with prime rootstock. Otherwise, the trees' chances of surviving to old age decrease as the quality of rootstock deteriorates. The city was not made aware of this standard practice until its recent hiring of a consultant.

Given the circumstances, the public works department presented the city council with four options on Dec. 4: Replant the entire orchard of approximately 665 trees around this time next year; replant all the trees now; replant 250 trees around the new library and perimeter of the orchard this year; or replant 165 trees around the new library only this winter.

None of the options are without drawbacks.

By waiting until next year to plant all the trees the city could take advantage of there being higher-quality rootstock available and lower maintenance costs due to the completed installation of the well and irrigation system by then. The city could also possibly realize a savings per tree as a result of advance ordering. However, the orchard, including the area around the library, would look unfinished for another year.

Choosing to replant all the trees this year would make the orchard more aesthetically pleasing now, but a majority of the trees could have substandard rootstock, according to a city staff report. Except for those around the library that could make use of the library irrigation system, most trees would need to be hand-watered until the well and irrigation system is in place, thus adding to the maintenance cost.

Replanting only around the new library this winter would beautify that area, and the 165 trees would benefit from the library irrigation system. But the highest-quality rootstock isn't available this late in the season, though the city could probably secure 165 trees with "decent" rootstock, Public Works Director John Cherbone said, based on findings by the city's orchard consultant.

Jack Grantham of the Library Expansion Committee recommended to the council that it plant trees around the library now to fulfill an obligation to residents, who have looked forward to having a new library situated next to the orchard on its opening day in spring.

But the city can still beautify the library without this move, said Koepernik, who chairs the Heritage Preservation Commission. Agreeing with the city's orchardist, Matt Novakovich, who said at the meeting that it's "better to wait and do it right," Koepernik insisted that money would be better spent on a campaign to inform citizens of why it is best to wait another year before planting trees and volunteered his commission to oversee the campaign.

This suggestion won the approval of some council members.

"In this day of instant gratification, let's stop being money-foolish here," said then­Vice Mayor Evan Baker, as he looked ahead to potential cuts in the state budget that would have a trickledown effect on individual cities.

Ann Waltonsmith was the lone council member to really push for planting trees this winter.

"The orchard looks so sad ... let's plant what we can get," she said.

Councilman Stan Bogosian asked whether a compromise could be reached, with the city planting fewer than 165 trees around the library.

Mayor Nick Streit noted that since the library isn't slated to open until spring, a vote to plant the trees next winter would mean library patrons are actually being asked to wait about seven months after the library opens for the trees' arrival instead of a full year.

Since the city's decision to remove 600 trees from the orchard that are deemed dead, approximately 35 have been removed from the perimeter, according to Koepernik. With weather permitting, the rest will be removed in January, and the well and irrigation system will be installed by summer.

Now, with directions for the city to plant up to 165 trees around the library if any trees of quality rootstock are available, then to place an order for trees with the best rootstock to be planted next winter, the council also asked the Heritage Preservation Commission to begin educating the public about the city's decision.

Calling the orchard a "picture postcard setting" once all the trees are in bloom, Koepernik said residents will understand the importance of waiting to plant trees until after the well and irrigation system is functioning.

"What we do now, we want it to last 100 years," he said.

Library Expansion Committee Chairwoman Marcia Manzo, who did not attend the council meeting, said the committee would like to deliver on its promise to expand the orchard by the library's opening day, but she understands that it would not make sense to plant unfit trees.

"The city has taken an absolutely responsible position. The trees will be planted" sooner or later, she said.