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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-12 Public hearingNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON INTENT TO PROCEED WITH A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, AND TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR THE IOWA AVENUE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA TO ALL TAXPAYERS IN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, AND TO OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: Public notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, will conduct a public hearing on its intent to proceed with a public improvement project and to acquire property rights for the Iowa Avenue Streetscape Improvements project in said City at 7:00 p.m. on the 12th day of October, 1999, said meeting to be held in the Council Chambers in the Civic Center in said City, or if said meeting is cancelled, at the next meeting of the City Council thereafter as posted by the City Clerk. Documentation of the proposed location of said improvements is now on file in the office of the City Clerk in the Civic Center in Iowa City, Iowa, and may be inspected by any interested persons. Any interested persons may appear at said meeting of the City Council for the purpose of making objections to and comments concerning said intent to proceed with and to acquire property rights for said public improvement project. This notice is given by order of the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, and as provided by law. MARlAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK NOTICE OF INTENT TO COMMENCE A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY RIGHTS WHICH MAY BE NEEDED FOR THE IOWA AVENUE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT TO: Dey Building, L.L.C., 8 S. Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240; Daniel L. Berry, 2905 Brookside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52245; Cele C. Lubin, c/o Daniel Berry, 115 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240; Harry Bremer Estate, c/o Cardan, Inc., 115 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240; Iowa State Bank and Trust Co., Harry Bremer Estate, PO Box 1700, Iowa City, IA 52244; Sarah Graham Bell, John H. Graham, c/o Gerry Ambrose, 250 12th Avenue, Suite 150, Coralville, IA 52241; Bill Mihalopoulos, 1105 W. Benton Street, Iowa City, IA 52246; Janet L. Moore, C. Robert Wikel, 3771 Cottage Reserve, Solon, IA 52333; Roy Yelder, 521 Melrose Court, Iowa City, IA 52246; Reardon Apartments, 1218 Highland Court, Iowa City, IA 52240; First Christian Church, 217 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240; Brueggers, 720 Liberty Way, North Liberty, IA 52317; Gilda and Erich W. Six, 1244 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52246; Unitarian Universalist Society, 10 S. Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 Under the provisions of House File 476, enacted by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor during the 1999 Legislative Session, a governmental body which proposes to acquire property rights under power of eminent domain for a public improvement project is required to give notice of intent to commence the project to all property owners whose properties may be affected. (See new Sections 6B.2A and 6B.2B of the Iowa Code) 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT; INTENDED USE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE ACQUIRED. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the above- identified property owners that the City Council of the City of Iowa City will consider authorizing the commencement of a project to reconstruct the 100, 200, & 300 blocks of Iowa Avenue incorporating wider sidewalks and various streetscape improvements as well as reconfiguration of roadway and parking and also the reconstruction of the Beer Creek storm sewer which project is to be known as the Iowa Avenue Streetscape Property rights acquired for the project will be used for: · Construction of storm sewer · Staging of construction activities 2. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS MAY BE ACQUIRED BY NEGOTIATION OR CONDEMNATION. If the above-described project is approved by the City Council, the City may need to acquire property rights for the project improvements. Property rights may include a temporary construction easement, a permanent easement, and/or a fee simple parcel (complete ownership). Upon review of Johnson County property records, it appears that properties or portions of properties owned by the above-identified persons may have to be acquired for the project by the methods described above. The City will attempt to purchase the required property by good faith negotiations. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the City will condemn those property rights which it determines are necessary for the project. The proposed location of the above-described public improvement is shown on documentation which is now on file in the office of the City Clerk and available for public viewing. 3. CITY PROCESS TO DECIDE TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT AND TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY RIGHTS; CITY COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED TO PROCEED WITH PROJECT; OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT. The City has provided funding in its budget for this project, as well as funding to acquire any property rights that may be needed for the project. City staff has analyzed the options for how to proceed with this project and has coordinated project planning with other appropriate agencies. The planning has reached the point where preliminary designs now indicate that certain property rights may need to be acquired. Any public comment will be considered in preparing the final designs, particularly as private property may be affected. In making the decision to proceed with the above-described project and to acquire property rights, the City Council is required to hold a public hearing, giving persons interested in the proposed project the opportunity to present their views regarding the project, and regarding the proposed acquisition of property rights for the project. The public hearing will be held on the 12th day of October, 1999 in the City Council Chambers, Civic Center, 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa, commencing at 7:00 p.m. or, if cancelled, at the next meeting of the City Council thereafter as posted by the .City Clerk. In order to proceed with this project and commence the acquisition of property rights for the project, the City Council will be required to approve the project and authorize acquisition of private property rights by Council resolution. The City Council is scheduled to consider adoption of a resolution of the City's intent to proceed with this project following the public hearing. When an appraisal is required, if the project is approved by the City Council, an appraiser will determine the compensation to be paid for easements and/or property acquired in fee simple. The City will offer no less than the appraised value and will attempt to purchase only the needed property by good faith negotiations. If the City is unable to acquire properties needed for the project by negotiation, the City will acquire those property rights by condemnation. 4. STATUS OF PROJECT PLANNING. The above-described project was identified for construction as part of the Capital Improvement Program approved by the City Council on March 2, 1999 pursuant to Resolution No. 99-72. The project is currently scheduled for construction in the 2000 construction season. 5. THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO PURCHASE PROPERTY RIGHTS. The City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa has not yet determined to undertake this project or to acquire property rights for the project. This Notice does not constitute an offer to purchase property rights. 6. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS. Just as the law grants certain entities the right to acquire private property, you as the owner of property have certain rights. You have the right to: a. Receive just compensation for the taking of property. (Iowa Const., Article I, Section 18) b. An offer to purchase which may not be less than the lowest appraisal of the fair market value of the property. (Iowa Code § § 6B.45, 6B54) c. Receive a copy of the appraisal, if an appraisal is required, upon which the acquiring agency's determination of just compensation is based not less than 10 days before being contacted by the acquiring agency's acquisition agent. ( Iowa Code §6B.45) d. When an appraisal is required, an opportunity to accompany at least one appraiser of the acquiring agency who appraises your property. (Iowa Code §6B.54) e. Participate in good faith negotiations with the acquiring agency before the acquiring agency begins condemnation proceedings. (Iowa Code §6B.3(1 )) f. If you cannot agree on a purchase price with the acquiring agency, a determination of just compensation by an impartial compensation commission and the right to appeal its award to district court. (Iowa Code §§ 6B.4, 6B.7, and 6B.18) g. A review by the compensation commission of the necessity for the condemnation if your property is agricultural land being condemned for industry; (Iowa Code § 6B.4A) 'h. Payment of the agreed upon purchase price, or if condemned, a deposit of the compensation commission award before you are required to surrender possession of the property. (Iowa Code §§ 6B.25 and 6B.54(11)) i. Reimbursement for expenses incidental to transferring title to the acquiring agency. (Iowa Code § § 6B.33 and 6B.54(10)) j. Reimbursement of certain litigation expenses: (1) if the award of the compensation commissioners exceeds 110 percent of the acquiring agency's final offer before condemnation; and (2) if the award on appeal in court is more than the compensation commissioner's award. (Iowa Code §6B.33) k. At least 90 days written notice to vacate occupied property. (Iowa Code § 6B.54(4)) I. Relocation services and payments, if you are eligible to receive them, and the right to appeal your eligibility for and amount of payments. (Iowa Code §316.9) The rights set out in this Statement are not claimed to be a full and complete list or explanation of an owner's rights under the law. They are derived from Iowa Code Chapters 6A, 6B and 316, For a more thorough presentation of an owner's rights, you should refer directly to the Iowa Code or contact an attorney of your choice. nit,, NOTICE OF INTENT TO COMMENCE A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY RIGHTS WHICH MAY BE NEEDED FOR THE IOWA AVENUE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT TO: Dey Building, L.L.C. 8 S. Clinton Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Daniel L. Berry 2905 Brookside Drive Iowa City, IA 52245 Cele C. Lubin c/o Daniel Berry 115 Iowa Avenue 'Iowa City, IA 52240 Janet L. Moore C. Robert Wikel 3771 Cottage Reserve Solon, IA 52333 Roy Yelder 521 Melrose Court Iowa City, IA 52246 Reardon Apartments 1218 Highland Court Iowa City, IA 52240 Harry Bremer Estate c/o Cardan, Inc. 115 Iowa Avenue Iowa City, IA 52240 Iowa State Bank and Trust Co. Harry Bremer Estate PO Box 1700 Iowa City, IA 52244 Sarah Graham Bell John H. Graham c/o Gerry Ambrose 250 12th Avenue, Suite 150 Coralville, IA 52241 First Christian Church 217 Iowa Avenue Iowa City, IA 52240 Bmeggers 720 Liberty Way North Liberty, IA 52317 Gilda and Erich W. Six 1244 Melrose Avenue Iowa City, IA 52246 Unitarian Universalist Society 10 S. Gilbert Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Bill Mihalopoulos 1105 W. Benton Street Iowa City, IA 52246 Under the provisions of House File 476, enacted by the General Assembly and signed by the Govemor during the 1999 Legislative Session, a govemmental body which proposes to acquire property rights under power of eminem domain for a public improvement project is required to give notice of intent to commence the project to all property owners whose properties may be affected. (See new Sections 6B.2A and 6B.2B of the Iowa Code) 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT; INTENDED USE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE ACQUIRED. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the above-identified property owners that the City Council of the City of Iowa City will consider authorizing the commencement of a project to reeoustruct the 100, 200, & 300 blocks of Iowa Avenue incorporating wider sidewalks and 2 various streetscape improvements as well as recon~guration of roadway and parking and also the reconstruction of the Beer Creek storm sewer which project is to be known as the Iowa Avenue Streetscape Project. Property rights acquired for the project will be used for: · Construction of storm sewer · Staging of construction activities PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS MAY BE ACQUIRED BY NEGOTIATION OR CONDEMNATION. If the above-described project is approved by the City Council, the City may need to acquire property rights for the project improvements. Property rights may include a temporary construction easement, a permanent easement, and/or a fee simple parcel (complete ownership). Upon review of Johnson County property records, it appears that properties or portions of properties owned by the above-identified persons may have to be acquired for the project by the methods described above. The City will attempt to purchase the required property by good faith negotiations. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the City will condemn those property rights which it determines are necessary for the project. The proposed location of the above-described public improvement is shown on documentation which is now on file in the office of the City Clerk and available for public viewing. CITY PROCESS TO DECIDE TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT AND TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY RIGHTS; CITY COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED TO PROCEED WITH PROJECT; OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT. The City has provided funding in its budget for this project, as well as funding to acquire any property rights that may be needed for the project. City staff has analyzed the options for how to proceed with this project and has coordinated project planning with other appropriate agencies. The planning has reached the point where preliminary designs now indicate that certain property rights may need to be acquired. Any public comment will be considered in preparing the final designs, particularly as private property may be affected. In making the decision to proceed with the above-described project and to acquire property fights, the City Council is required to hold a public hearing, giving persons interested in the proposed project the oppommity to present their views regarding the project, and regarding the proposed acquisition of property rights for the project. The pubBe hearing will be held on the 12th day of October, 1999 in the City Council Chambers, Civic Center, 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa, commencing at 7:00 p.m. or, if cancelled, at the next meeting of the City Council thereafter as posted by the City Clerk. In order to proceed with this project and commence the acquisition of property rights for the project, the City Council will be required to approve the project and authorize acquisition of private property rights by Council resolution. The City Council is scheduled to consider adoption of a resolution of the City's intent to proceed with this project following the public hearing. When an appraisal is required, if the project is approved by the City Council, an appraiser will determine the compensation to be paid for easements and/or property acquired in fee simple. The City will offer no less than the appraised value and will attempt to purchase only 3 the needed property by good faith negotiations. If the City is unable to acquire properties needed for the project by negotiation, the City will acquire those property rights by condemnation. 4. STATUS OF PROJECT PLANNING. The above-described project was identified for construction as part of the Capital Improvement Program approved by the City Council on March 2, 1999 pursuant to Resolution No. 99-72. The project is currently scheduled for construction in the 2000 construction season. THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO PURCHASE PROPERTY RIGHTS. The City Cotmoil of the City of Iowa City, Iowa has not yet determined to undertake this project or to acquire property rights for the project. This Notice does not constitute an offer to purchase property rights. 6. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS. Just as the law grants certain entities the right to acquire private property, you as the owner of property have certain fights. You have the right to: a. Receive just compensation for the taking of property. (Iowa Const., Article I, Section 18) b. An offer to purchase which may not be less than the lowest appraisal of the fair market value of the property. (Iowa Code §8 6B.45, 6B54) C, Receive a copy of the appraisal, if an appraisal is required, upon which the acquiring agency's determination of just compensation is based not less than 10 days before being contacted by the acquiring agency's acquisition agent. ( Iowa Code §6B.45) d. When an appraisal is required, an oppommity to accompany at least one appraiser of the acquiring agency who appraises your property. (Iowa Code §6B.54) e. Participate in good faith negotiations with the acquiring agency before the acquiring agency begins condemnation proceedings. (Iowa Code §6B.3(1)) If you cannot agree on a purchase price with the acquiring agency, a determination of just compensation by an impartial compensation commission and the fight to appeal its award to district court. (Iowa Code §8 6B.4, 6B.7, and 6B.18) A review by the compensation commission of the necessity for the condemnation if your property is agricultural land being condemned for industry; (Iowa Code § 6B .4A) 4 Payment of the agreed upon purchase price, or if condemned, a deposit of the compensation commission award before you are required to surrender possession of the property. (Iowa Code §§ 6B.25 and 6B.54(11)) i. Reimbursement for expenses incidental to transferring title to the acquiring agency. (Iowa Code §§ 6B.33 and 6B.54(10)) Reimbursement of certain litigation expenses: (1) if the award of the compensation commissioners exceeds 110 percent of the acquiring agency's final offer before condemnation; and (2) if the award on appeal in court is more than the compensation commissioner's award. (Iowa Code §6B.33) k. At least 90 days written notice to vacate occupied property. (Iowa Code § 6B.54(4)) 1. Relocation services and payments, if you are eligible to receive them, and the right to appeal your eligibility for and amount of payments. (Iowa Code §316.9) The rights set out in this Statement are not claimed to be a full and complete list or explanation of an owner's fights under the law. They are derived from Iowa Code Chapters 6A, 6B and 316, For a more thorough presentation of an owner's rights, you should refer directly to the Iowa Code or contact an attomey of your choice. Mr. Brian Clark Adamson Clark Landscape Architecture, Inc 1200 Grand Avenue West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 Dear Brian, I attended the public meeting last Wednesday night in the Iowa City Council chambers regarding the design for the three blocks of Iowa Avenue. My concern is to your response to Emilie Rubright's concern that approximately 60 trees of one species is the sole plant material for those blocks. Not only am I concerned that a one-species landscape is in risk of losing all landscape ambience in case of devastation by pests or disease; but I am also concerned about the long list of pests and diseases that afflict the Honey Locust. Michael Dirr's 1990 revised edition not only strongly warns against monogamous plantings, recommending using a diversity of trees and shrubs, but it lists the multiple pest and disease problems of the Honeylocust, especially the webworm. You stated that the cultivar you were recommending did not have those problems. Other than 'Green GloW', Dirr does not mention that the other cultivars show resistance to webworm damage. What cultivar are you recommending? As a member of Project GREEN we have been very active for over 30 years in landscaping public places in Iowa City, among them the remaining blocks of the Iowa Avenue median from Gilbert Street to Muscatine Avenue. I would appreciate further commenton your landscaping selection for the three blocks of Iowa Avenue from Gilbert leading up to the Pentacrest. Thank you for your forthcoming response. Cordially, Anne Hesse Co-Chair, Project GREEN 3948 Stewart Road NE Iowa City, Iowa 52240 . ' :.: .-".:~' .,: :.. , ;,:" triacanthos var, inermis - Th0msess Common Honey:o ust ~::~ (~)e:i:lit'si-~ tff-a-kan'th~s in-~r'mis) FAMILY: Fabaceae LEAVES: Alternate, pinnately or bipinnately compound, 6 to 8" 1on9, rachis pubescent all around, grooved, pinnate leaves with 20 to 30 obtong-lan- ceolate leaflets, 1/3 to I 112" long, 3/16 to 518" wide, remotely crenate- serrulate, pubescent on midribs beneath; hipinnate leaves with 8 to 14 pinnae, the leaflets 1/3 to 1' long, glossy bright green; base of petiole swollen and enclosing bud. BUDS: Terminal-absent, laterals small, about 5 more or less dis- tinct at a node, some scaly, others naked. STEM: Shining, smooth, reddish to greenish brown, often mottled or streaked, zigzag with enlarged nodes. SIZE: Tremendously vari- able in the. cultivated types but usually in the range of 30 to 70' in height with a com- parable spread; in the wild often grows to over 100'. HARDINESS: Zone 3 to 9; most cultivars do not perform well in heat, humidity and heavy soils of the southeast. HABIT: Usually a tree with a short trunk and a rather open spreading crown; light-shaded and consequently grass will grow up to the trunk; a very delicate and sophisticated silhouette which, unfortunately, has led to abuse by landscape planners. RATE: Fast, as a young tree will grow 2' or more per year o. ve.r a 10 year pedod. TEXTURE: Medium-fine in leaf (almost fine); medium in winter. BARK: On old trees grayish brown, broken up into long, narrow, longitudinal and superficially scaly ridges which are separated by deep furrows. LEAF COLOR: Bdght green in summer; clear yellow to yellow green in fall; leaves fall early. FLOWERS: Polygamo-dioecious, perfect and imperfect flowerson,. same tree, greenish yellow, May-June, I: .fragrant and nectar laden, not showy, male in clustered,' d~Wny, 2" long racemes; females in few flowered racemes. FRUIT: Pod, reddish brown to brownish, strap-shaped, ~ tr} 8" long up to 18", about 1" wide; seeds oval, :Shining dark brown and hard as ~ bullet; entire pod cften irregularly twisted. CULTURE: Readily transplanted; withstances a wide range of conditions although reaches maximum 'development. on rich, moist bottomlands or on soils of a limestone origin; tolerant of drought co~tditions; high pH; salt tolerant (in fact has proven to be the most salt-tolerant tree growing along Chicago freeways); full sun; prune in fall; one of our most adaptable native trees but overused._ Gledi~ 363 DISEASES AND INSECTS: Leaf spot, cankers, witches' broom, powdery mildew, rest, honeylocust borer, midge pod gall, webworm and spider mites; webworm can literally defoliate the tree; after the decline of the American Elm, honeylocust and the many cultivars were extensively used as a substitute; unfortunately the insects and diseases have caught up with this tree in the urban landscapes and let us hope its fate is not similar to that of the predecessor; monogamous planting can lead to problems and for that reason I would strongly recommend using a diversity of trees and shrubs. In 1980 I returned to the Illinois campus to visit friends and as we walked the campus it became evident that the hundreds (thousands) of honeylocusts planted on the campus in the 1950's and 1960's were in trouble. Large trees were being removed from the Quadrangle for fear they might fall over and hurt students (perhaps faculty also), since one had already fallen over. The threat of liability will do wonders for campus beautification. The trees over the years had been subjected to every scourge mentioned above and apparently tremendous root rot had put the trees in a precarious way. Interestingly, the entire population was gradually removed and planted with four different species (no honeylocust). The tree is beautiful but is not without problems. An aggressive canker, Thyronectria austro- americana causes wilt, cankers or both. In Coloradq, the most diseased trees were between 12 and 20 years old, 20 to 30' high and 6 to 12" diameter. 'Sunburst' is the most susceptible cultivar. See Amer. Nurseryman 156(8):52-53 (1982) for details. LANDSCAPE VALUE: At one time I would have said an excellent lawn tree for filtered shade but no more; it is overused by everyone and consequently the novelty has worn off; we might be looking for a replacement for this tree if serious insect and disease problems continue. CULTIVARS: Haseredt and Sydnor, J. Arbor. 9(7):186-189 (1983) reported on the growth characteristics of 5 cultivars after 15 years in the Ohio Shade Tree Evaluation Tests at Wooster, OH. Height/width of 'Imperial' was 25'/24'; 'Moraine'~2 '/28'; 'Shademaster'--32'/25'; 'Skyline'--35 '/26'; 'Sunburst' -- 32'/24'. 'Bujotii' ('Pendula')--A very elegant, pendulous tree; branches and branchlets very slender; leaflets narrower than the species, often mottled with white. 'Continental'--Vigorous narrow crown of stout branches, large leaves, fine leaflets, dark blue-green color, virtually seedless, 60 to 70', a Princeton introduction. 'Elegantissima'~ense, shrubby habit, with elegant foliage; original plant grew 13' in 25 years; should be grafted on G. t. var. inermis understock; might be suitable under low wires and other structures. 'Fairview'---Strong, sturdy growth habit, habit is similar to 'Moraine', produces one grade larger than most cultivars; a McGill introduction. 'Green Glory'--(50 to 75') Vigorous grower with strong central leader, pyramidal when young; retains foliage later than other types; shows some resistance to webworm damage; essentially fruitless. 'Halka'--Strong growing, 40' by 40', large oval-rounded to round headed with greater fullness and less pendulous branching than typical form, essentially fruitless. ~' 'Imperial'--(30 to 35') Graceful, spreading branches at right angles to main trunk, rounded outline; produces a few pods; Minnesota reports some dieback in severe winters; 1 '7.9" per year over a 1 O-year peded in Wichita, KS tests. 'Majestic'~60 to 65 ') Spreading but more upright branched than above; excellent dark green foliage; one of the more popular clones; 1 '10.8" per year over a I O-year pedod in Wichita, KS tests. 'Marando'---New form with semi-weeping habit, dark green leaves, dark brown bark, seedless. 'Maxwell'~omewhat irregular grower, horizontally spreading branches; reputed hardy to low temperature. 'M0raine'--The first of the thornless honeylocusts to be patented (1949); broad, graceful in outline; 40 to 50'; fruitless; good dark green changing to golden yellow in fall; shows greater resistance to webworm than some of the new introductions; possibly should be considered the standard by which the others are judged. 'Perfection'--An excellent well scaffolded tree developing an eady crown, slightly broader than 'Skyline' but not as spreading as 'Imperial,' dark green foliage, 50' by 35'. 364 GieditsialGym~ocladus . 'Pin Cushion'--Interesting novelty form; foliage is borne in bunches along the stem; I have seen three -. planted together and the shade produced was not dense enought to protect an ant. 'Ruby Lace'--Ruby red when first unfolding, purplish bronze later and finally green, a poor specimen, ungainly, as bad as a cultivar can be; webworms love it. ~'Shademaster'--Ascending branches, dark green leaves, strong growing, Gssentially podless; . several horticulturists consider this the best, 45' by 35', 1 '10.7" per year over a 10 year period in Wichita, KS tests. -~ 'Skyline'~45' by 35') Pyramidal form with ascending branches (60 to 90° angle), compact, dark green leaves, bright golden yellow fall color; another good form; Cole introduction; more updght than most forms; 1 '9" per year over 10 years in Wichita, KS tests. 'Summergold'~pen, elegant lazy appearance, bright golden new growth turning to yellow-green, 40 to 50'. 'Summer Lace'~trong growing, graceful appearance, light green foliage tums dark green, dark shiny bark, 60 to 70'. ~ 'Sunburst'--(30 to 35') Broad pyramidal head, golden leaves on new growth changing eventually to bright green, somewhat hard to digest. 'True Shade'--(40' by 35')--Broad oval form, fine textured medium green foliage turns yellow in fall, fast growing; branch angles approximate 45°. PROPAGATION: Seeds should be scadfied in concentrated sulfuric acid for 1 to 2 hours; they will then germinate readily; cultivars are budded on seedling understock. ADDITIONAL NOTES: The pods contain a sweetish, gummy substance from which the name honeylocust is derived. The species, Gleditsia triacanthos, is laden with multibranched thorns and should not be considered for landscape situations. It should be mentioned that very few of the clones are completely fruitless. The polygamous nature of the flowers usually allows for some perfect flowers and, hence, fruit will occur. NATIVE HABITAT: Pennsylvania to Nebraska and south to Texas and Mississippi. Introduced 1700. ( ymi ocladus dioicus -~<entucky Coffeetree (jim-nok'l~-dus dT-~-~'kus) FAMILY: Fabaceae LEAVES: Altemate, bipinnately compound, to 36" long and 24" wide, with 3 to 7 pairs of pinnae, the lower usually reduced to s~mple leaflets, the upper with 6 to 14 leaflets; leaflets ovate or elliptic-ovate, entire, I 1/2 to 3" long, acute, rounded or cuneate at base, dark green, almost bluish green, pubescent beneath when young; shod petioled, swollen at base. BUDS: Terminal--absent, laterals--small, bronze, pubescent, partially sunken, scar- cely projecting beyond surface of twig, sur- rounded by an incurred downy rim of bark, axillary bud in depression at top of leaf scar, one or sometimes 2 superposed buds present; sometimes 2 lateral scales visible. STEM: Very stout, more or less contorted, brown or slightly greenish, glabrous or often velvety downy; pith--wide, salmon-pink to brown. BARK: Dark brown, characteristically roughened with tortuous, recurved, scale-like ridges which are distinct even upon comparatively young branches. SIZE: 60 to 75' in height by 40 to 50' in spread although can grow to 90'.