Without a quorum present, the Cullman City Tree Commission was unable to take any official actions Tuesday, Aug. 13, but general discussion between the present members laid the groundwork for several big plans the commission has for the coming months.

City arborist Shane Bivens was unable to attend the meeting, but commission chairman Barry Slatton said the two have been planning to compile a short list of recommended tree species for the area to “control growth, but at the same time give people options.”

Slatton said he had asked Bivens to narrow the list down to small, medium and large categories each with six different species that would fare well in the area, were disease resistant, provide ample shade and “look pretty.”

When reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Bivens said he hadn’t quite finalized his list, but knew of a few species that were sure to make the cut. Juniper and forsythia bushes were among Bivens’ recommendations for ground cover and Crepe Myrtles were quickly added to the medium size tree list.

Bivens also said he was between several different species of magnolia trees, naming Jane Magnolias with their bold pink and purple blooms or Stardust Magnolias with their softer light pink and white blooms.

Slatton also revealed the final version of the commission’s new logo which was created by local artist Sarah Miller.

The logo features four evergreen trees in varying shades of green against an orange, circular backdrop. Miller said her goal with the backdrop was to depict a sunset to contrast the trees in the images foreground.

Slatton said once the commission is able to officially approve the logo it will be added to letterheads and stationary.