RECENT COMMENTS
100 New Trees for Union Hill UPDATE
From Bill Conkle: “Initially, I was told that the Adopt a Tree Program would cost $25 per tree and I went right to work promoting the idea of 100 New Trees for Union Hill at $25 a pop. I now have been informed that the cost this year will be $50 for the first tree and $150 for any additional tree. This is still a good deal compared to previous years, but not as attractive as the $25 price tag.”
I have modified my 100 Trees for Union Hill Flyer. I still believe we can plant 100 trees in the next year or so. There are many vacant tree wells and many streets in need of greening.
I will leave the flyers and updated AAT Applications and Information at Jumpin J’s for interested individuals to pick-up. People still have the option of planting their own tree, provided the urban forestry division approves te species and location.
Please call Billie Raines, the Adopt A Tree Coordinator for additional information (646-6785). Billie is a wonderful person and is working with us to get as many trees in the ground as possible.
The Friends of Jefferson Park is also working with Urban Forestry to take out a few dead trees in the park and to replant trees where they have died or been taken out by storms or disease over the years.
Bill Conkle
Tree Hugger
I planted my own trees at the street, without approval or permission. Is this bad, then?
And why did the city plant all of these pin oaks under power lines?
PLANT YOUR OWN TREES AT A LESSER COST. I DON’T KNOW IF PIN OAKS ARE BAD, THEY SEEM LIKE GOOD TREES TO ME, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY GET BIG AND HAVE KNEES THAT YOU CAN SIT ON AND THE PIN OAKS MAKE A CANOPY THAT SHED WATER AND GIVE YOU A GOOD PLACE TO WAIT IN A SHOWER. I SUGGEST THAT YOU ALWAYS AVOID SWEET GUM TREES. PLEASE DO NOT PLANT THEM. THEY ARE NOT EVEN DECENT FIREWOOD. THERE IS NO SOCIAL REDEMING QUALITY ASSOCIATED WITH A SWEET GUM.
YOU COULD PLANT SWEET GUM AT THE HOUSE OF YOUR ENEMY. THEY DROP FRUIT THAT HURT YOUR FEET WHEN YOU WALK BAREFOOTED AND THEY POSION THE GROUND SO THAT IT WILL KILL THE GRASS
I kvetch about the pin oaks under power lines because they do grow so wonderfully tall that they end up getting mutilated by the power company.
How large are the Adopt a Tree trees? Because I agree with Bill: you can plant privately purchased seedling trees at a lesser cost. I’m not sure about larger trees though.
My understanding is that you are supposed to get a “permit” before planting trees in city tree-wells to make sure the tree you plant is one suited to growing in urban conditions. Only a short list of certain trees (like the bradford pear that fell on my house a few weeks ago which split after growing only a decade or two) would not be approved. I have been told that the permitting process for this is really more of a cataloguing of what is being planted out there rather than a traditional City “permit”. When I asked about replacing my fallen street tree, the City gave me the same form Bill C. has been circulating .
an idea for Union Hill and the City’s Urban Forestry program?
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/run_for_treesjo.php
Trees now have their own sporting event, complete with celebrities. The Tree-Athlon, for fit and trim tree lovers, includes a five km. run, a “tree wishâ€, where runners’ wishes are printed on their running bibs so that everyone can share their dreams, and participants get a pot of seeds to plant. Lots of local, green celebrities will be there to cheer the runners on, such as Diarmuid Gavin, who redesigns gardens on his popular t.v. show Home Front. All the money raised goes towards the planting and care of thousands of trees in bleak parts of the United Kingdom and internationally. Trees for Cities, the charity sponsoring the event, is an interesting concept, right up our Treehugger alley. It works with local communities on tree planting projects. Their aim is to “tackle global warming, create social cohesion and beautify our cities through tree planting, community, education and training initiatives in urban areas of greatest need.†They work with communities in some of the poorest parts of the U.K. In East London they planted 60 street trees with local residents. As well as helping to identify potential sites and taking part in the planting, local people are offered the chance to get vocational training in horticulture. In Addis Ababa there has been terrible deforestation due to the increasing demand for firewood and wood for construction. Trees for Cities is working with the government to redevelop parks and open spaces in the city and the countryside. :: Trees for Cities
Hello – I am the adopt-a-tree coordinator for the city of Richmond and would like to address some of your questions:
The wrong tree in the wrong place – for example power lines. Often trees are planted in the city without prior approval from the city arboritst. DPW, community groups and landscapers, etc often plant what they think is a good tree for the location. If all trees went through the urban forestry process it would correct this problem for future trees. We have a new urban forest manager and two new arborists that are working wery hard to make improvements in the city’s urban forest.
Regarding the cost of the AAT program. Currently I have over 200 citizens that want to participate. In order to give the most people an opportunity to get a low cost tree we set the price at $50. That contributes $25 to the overall cost of the tree (8-10 ft – which averages $200.00 per tree) and covers the cost of a $25.00 tree watering bag.
Other communities such as the Museum District and Byrd Park Civic Assoc. each planted 50 trees last year and found the tree watering bags made a big difference in the watering of the trees by their residents.
If you would like to purchase your own tree we do ask that you fill out the application so we can make sure you are planting the right tree in the right place.
If you have other questions please call me at 646-6785 or email me at braines@ci.richmond.va.us
I look forward to working with your organization on your tree replacement program.
The City should be planting trees and developing water gardens and doing everything they can to “green-up” Church Hill,Union Hill and other neighborhoods that drain into Shockoe Bottom. Trees and green spaces reduce stormwater runoff significantly. Why build bigger storm drains when you can reduce runoff in more environmentally and less expensive ways!!
http://www.arborday.org/trees/benefits.cfm
I was asked to distribute this to provide facts to individuals who may not want more trees because they produce leaves to be raked and roots that damage sidewalks and grow up with limbs that might fall on cars…
The Value of Trees to a Community
The following are some statistics on just how important trees are in a community setting.
“The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.” -U.S. Department of Agriculture
“Trees can boost the market value of your home by an average of 6 or 7 percent.” -Dr. Lowell Ponte
“Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent.” -Management Information Services/ICMA
“One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.” -U.S. Department of Agriculture
“There are about 60-to 200- million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO2 every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs.” -National Wildlife Federation
“Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 – 50 percent in energy used for heating.” -USDA Forest Service
“Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent.” -The National Arbor Day Foundation
“Shade from trees could save up to $175 per year (per structure) in air conditioning costs.” -Dr. Lowell Ponte
“Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property’s value.” -USDA Forest Service
“The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.” -USDA Forest Service
“In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.” -Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University
“Nationally, the 60 million street trees have an average value of $525 per tree.” -Management Information Services
To help locate New York City’s heritage trees, the City Department of Parks and Recreation conducted a program called the “Great Tree Search.” New Yorkers looked for trees of unusual size and age, those linked with historic landmarks, and trees of unusual species or location. On Arbor Day, they held a big party to celebrate New York City’s Great Trees.
After a tornado destroyed more than 800 trees in Cardington, Ohio, citizens organized a tree restoration committee which solicited donations and memorials. Volunteers who learned of the tree planting through local newspaper articles appeared on Arbor Day to wrap trunks, water, mulch, and stake 40 large trees which were planted along major streets.
This idea seemed a little crazy just a year ago, but now it seems to be a reality. I will try to provide an updated number after a neighborhood walk-around. And this doesn’t even include the amazing job the Church Hill Planters Society has done outside of Union Hill. We are going GREEN on the Hill!