fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Movie Night Gift Subscription
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Village asks for help planting shade trees

by Sharyn Flanagan
April 2, 2016
in General News, Politics & Government
0
Village shade trees, not currently in shade mode (photo by Will Dendis)
Village shade trees, not currently in shade mode (photo by Will Dendis)

An inventory of all the street trees in the village of Saugerties was initiated last year by the Saugerties Village Tree Commission, paid for by a grant written by commission chair Rosemarie Brackett. The survey, now complete, maps out each tree in the village with its location, species and condition. Many of the trees are in need of removal, damaged over the years by the weather or simply from aging. “Sometimes the tree wasn’t planted in an opportune location to begin with,” said Brackett. “But the philosophy of the Tree Commission is, ‘For every tree that comes down, at least one tree gets planted.’”

But what’s a village to do when there isn’t any money for such a project?

The Tree Commission has a proposal: It will match contributions from residents toward the purchase of new trees dollar-for-dollar. “We know we have a wonderful community here in Saugerties, and people care,” said Brackett. “It’s our community, our village, and we’re losing our trees. We think by reaching out and letting people know there’s a need, we can do this together.”

Some guidelines have been established. The trees have to be planted in the village’s sidewalk tree lawns, not on private property. And any planting of street trees has to be done through the Tree Commission; village code does not allow for residents to plant (or remove) street trees on their own. In addition, the commission also has the last word in determining what type of tree can be planted in any given location – taking into consideration the size of the tree and the tree lawn and whether there are wires overhead. “The objective is to have a healthy, vibrant treescape in the village, not just randomly, without thought, just start planting and then it doesn’t sustain itself,” said Brackett.

Under the matching program, a resident would write a check for half the cost of purchasing, siting and planting a tree. The cost for a new tree is approximately $250, so a resident would contribute $125.

That number allows for the planting of a tree with some maturity. “We plant a minimum two-caliper tree [the trunk is two inches across; the height the tree attains will depend on the species] because once it’s planted it already has an identity and looks like a tree,” said Brackett. “If you plant something too small, you have to support it with a stick and it just doesn’t thrive as well.”

But if $125 for the matching program is out of reach for a resident, the commission welcomes donations in smaller increments, as well, which go into the general fund to be used for planting trees. And of course larger donations are welcome. Ultimately, “the objective is to plant more trees,” said Brackett, so the commission is open to any “workable ideas” from residents. All it takes is a conversation with the tree commission, whose members welcome input from residents.

One option is to memorialize a loved one or a special occasion with the planting of a tree. For an additional charge, a small plaque or stone can be mounted in the soil alongside the tree. Recently a village resident planted a memorial tree for his father, who was a veteran, so it was decided to put the tree near the American Legion post.

Businesses can sponsor trees by making a donation, too. They’ll be acknowledged on the commission’s website and Facebook page as well as in any literature or mailings. The group also does fundraisers like last year’s “Antiques Road Show.”

The Tree Commission’s next event will be held Arbor Day, Friday, April 25, when the group anticipates planting as many as four or five new trees. Last year the commission had funds for just one.

Brackett said the Saugerties Society of Little Gardens club has donated the cost of a tree and they have a generous donation from Adams Fairacre Farms. In addition, the Saugerties Farmers Market has pledged matching funds. The trees will be planted near the market and Cahill Elementary School.

The Saugerties Library will host an Arbor Day program on Saturday, April 26 from 2-5 p.m. The Village Tree Commission has invited George Profous, a senior forester from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), to speak about tree care and maintenance. He’ll do demonstrations on pruning and instruct participants on how to improve the survival of their trees and reduce storm damage to them. The event is free.

Brackett said the commission is always looking for volunteers to be involved at any level, even if it’s just as a village “scout” to find good locations for new trees. Now that this harsh winter is coming to an end, there may be trees out there that were damaged by the weather that the commission doesn’t know about yet, and residents can be helpful in keeping the organization apprised of what they see out there.

For more information, email Rosemarie Brackett at trees12477@gmail.com. Donations in any amount are gratefully accepted. Make checks payable to the Saugerties Village Tree Commission, Village Hall, 43 Partition St., 12477. For more information, visit www.saugertiestreecommission.wordpress.com.

Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher
Previous Post

Woodstock Organic Waste wants your compostables

Next Post

Zoë, the muse

Sharyn Flanagan

Related Posts

So, you think you’ve got what it takes to run a town?
Politics & Government

So, you think you’ve got what it takes to run a town?

March 31, 2023
Nina Postupack receives 2022 Martha Washington Woman of History Award
Politics & Government

County clerk Nina Postupack receives first pay raise in 14-years

March 29, 2023
Don’t give a hoot for the trees
Politics & Government

Woodstock proposes crackdown on non-essential tree removal

March 29, 2023
Op-ed: End the ethics waiting game
Politics & Government

New Paltz’s Eve Walter keeps constituents up-to-date on county business

March 29, 2023
Saugerties considers ethics law amendment
Politics & Government

Error revealed after internal review of Town of Saugerties employee contracts

March 29, 2023
Broadband finally coming for some western Shandaken residents
Politics & Government

Woodstock considers leasing space to broadband provider Archtop Fiber

March 29, 2023
Next Post

Zoë, the muse

Trending News

  • After months of speculation, Uptown Kingston’s Market Basket reopens for business 1.7k views
  • School “swatting” strikes Kingston High as police issue statewide advisory 1.5k views
  • Students sent to hospital after Rosendale crash involving school bus 1.3k views
  • Stony Run deal passes, not everyone is celebrating 1k views
  • Best barbecue in the Hudson Valley? Native Arkansawyer brings smoking skills to area’s hottest bars 753 views
  • New Paltz Planning Board considers proposal for feline-themed café 649 views

Weather

Kingston
◉
46°
Rain Shower
6:38 am7:21 pm EDT
Feels like: 46°F
Wind: 1mph SSW
Humidity: 100%
Pressure: 29.47"Hg
UV index: 1
SunMonTue
48/27°F
61/41°F
64/45°F
Weather forecast Kingston, New York ▸

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Movie Night Gift Subscription

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing