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Tree Committee, take a victory lap!
During its regular 3rd Tuesday meeting on the 17th, the Tree Committee finalized plans for a busy week that included a meeting on a tree ordinance, an Arbor Day celebration at the Middle School on Friday, and a wetland planting on Saturday morning.
Early Friday morning, Debby Shanahan met with Supervisor Michalenko and Mike Moracco to iron out the last few items in the tree ordinance that Debby, the Tree Committee, and DACC have been working on for over a year in preparation for submitting the ordinance to the Town Board.
Ann Stevens planned the 2nd Annual Arbor Day event with the JD Middle School principal Peter Smith and arranged for the attendence of DEC forester John Graham. John's talk to the students included the importance of working hard on studies of math and science. Joe Chiarenza had checked with the school on the location of the two white oaks donated by the Tree Committee for planting, and then he delivered the trees ready for the final shovels of soil by the students. In addition to Ann and Joe C., Joe Leonard, Mike Moracco, and yours truly attended the ceremony and marveled at the extent of the 45-min program put on by the 5th grade students. They had also all made Arbor Day posters that were very impressive. Several 5th graders even helped Supervisor Ed Michalenko read the Arbor Day proclamation that had been approved by the Town Board. Principal Smith hit a long home run in my book when he told the students to remember that it is very important to treat each other well, and it is also important to treat our environment well.
On Saturday morning, the Tree Committee wetland planting in Franklin Park was carried out expeditiously and with much good humor as is required for enduring 2 hours in muck. The Tree Committee and DACC, and especially Kate Woodle had planned the event beginning with helping to write the OLP grant that supported the planting. On Saturday, Joe Chiarenza delivered plants from Twin Oaks nursery, and Debby Shanahan donated more that she had grown. Joe Leonard, new volunteer for the Tree Committee David Mitchell, and three Franklin Park neighbors helped with the planting. Tree Committee advisor Brian Skinner arranged for coffee and donuts for the planters, courtesy of National Grid.
In addition to all this, during the week, Brian Skinner and Kate Woodle helped Vicki Baker diagnose the Cedar apple rust on her trees at home, and suggested what she could do about it.
Thanks everyone,
Gordon Heisler
The Tree Committee is your link to the Town regarding the planting of street trees in front of your property.
Take our Street Tree Inventory Survey- click here
Why plant a tree?
· Trees are beautiful.
· Trees muffle noise and provide privacy.
· Trees can increase your property value up to 15%.
· When trees surround your home, bird songs fill the air.
· Trees provide oxygen and remove air pollution.
· Trees cool your neighborhood (as much as 12°) in summer and warm it in winter.
· Trees slow rainfall runoff and help prevent flooding.
The Tree Committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at DeWitt Fire House in the small meeting room at 7pm. For more information, contact Ann Stevens at 446-2206.
Tree Committee Members
Dianne Bordoni
Joseph Leonard
Joe Chiarenza
Ann Stevens
Debbie Shanahan
Kate Woodle
Advisors: Brian Skinner
Gordon Heisler
Winter 2012 Street Tree Committee Updates and Brochure Content
How and Where to Plant Trees
Trees to Save Energy for Heating and Cooling Your Home
Street Tree Inventories
Report of 2009 Street Tree Inventory
DeWitt Street Tree Inventory, 2003 to 2005
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