Even though the wind is howling and the snow is falling Re-Tree WNY is already thinking of spring; officially two weeks away now! With spring comes our semi-annual volunteer tree planting. We all know that trees are a valuable resource to our City; they add beauty and charm to our streets, increase the value of nearby properties, and provide shade that decreases energy costs for homes.
In 2007, together with all our partners there were over 2807 trees planted throughout the City of Buffalo thanks to the efforts of people like you! However, we are nowhere near finished. To continue ongoing reforestation efforts, Re-Tree WNY is partnering with the Great American Clean-up and the City of Buffalo to again provide free trees and supplies for city block clubs, schools, community based organizations or any other interested group to plant along the streets in our neighborhoods this spring on May 3rd & 4th.
If you are interested in doing a neighborhood tree planting this spring in the City of Buffalo, Re-Tree WNY is asking all interested groups to follow the steps outlined below by March 14th in order to secure trees for the spring planting.
Step 1: Register your group here: www.city-buffalo.org/retreewny
Step 2: Once your registration has been received and accepted, you will be able to access the online tree-planting database.
Step 3: The online tree-planting database will show specific locations in your neighborhood that have been pre-approved for tree planting. From this database, you can reserve your tree planting locations for the spring.
Step 4: After you have chosen the locations for your trees, you may choose a species from the suggested list provided by the database for each location. At this time, we cannot guarantee that the species you choose will be the species you receive, but we will do our best to honor selections.
Step 5: If this is your first neighborhood tree planting with us stay alert for further information regarding a MANDATORY tree planting informational session provided by the Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Otherwise all groups will receive regular reminders on upcoming dates and steps to be taken before the planting weekend.
Of course you may be wondering…What about those (insert your expletive here) stumps that are still in the ground from the storm! Well that is being resolved as we speak. Contractors have been hired to remove all stumps. While this is a county contract and we have no confirmation that all stumps will be removed for the Spring planting we have been assured that all stumps will be removed by the Fall when we gear up to do this again. If your stump has been removed but the online system is not updated yet to allow you to reserve a tree contact the Mayor’s Call and Resolution Center 716-851-4890 and the update will occur.
Remember, the deadline for reserving trees is March 14th, 2008! So hurry and get your community organized because we would like every neighborhood in the City of Buffalo to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to improve the quality of life of our city.
Other important dates to remember:
-Learn to plant a tree with the Olmsted Parks Conservancy on March 29th & April 5th
-Please schedule your tree planting for the weekend of May 3rd and 4th
-Trees will be available for pick up May 2nd and 3rd
Photo: David Colligan – Re-Tree WNY co-chair.