Submitted by Don C. Collasius, Fairhaven Tree Warden
April is our busiest month. But this is a great busy. Aside from the responses to requests for services, and occasional emergency responses we are planting trees, and that’s the happiest thing we do. As I write this we have planted 50 in 3 weeks and we hope to put in almost 20 more by mid-May. If you would like a tree near you please reach out and let me know. We hope to plant 50 more in November.
Every tree we plant is important, but one really cool location this Spring is the High School, partly because of the magnificent setting, two trees one either side of the flag pole directly in front of the school (see page 19). But mostly because a class of biologists from the school helped select the trees and participateD in the planting of them on Arbor Day.
Getting our youth involved with tree stewardship is such a great investment in a green future. With the advent of acknowledged climate change and the fact that trees store carbon and actively cool a geographic area, getting these leaders of our future involved is crucial to a green cooler future for us all.
The Tree Department continues to work in our parks to remove dead/high risk trees and limbs. We will also be planting some trees in Livesey Park with money donated to the Tree Gift Memorial Fund.
Residents and former residents all the way from California have donated funds in order to plant trees in memory of a loved one, and also in honor of the living. It’s about $300 to buy and plant a tree but all donations are welcome. We do our planting in April through early May and November. I’m hoping to put some trees in to honor our veterans this coming Veterans Day. I’m looking for input as to where and what to plant. Drop me a line at 508-922-1222 if you have an idea or two.
The Tree Department is in the early stages of surveying the town’s 110 miles of roadways looking for high risk trees. If you see something that looks like a potential problem please let me know. If you would like to be involved with taking care of our tree canopy please reach out. We need folks to water, weed, mulch, plant and so forth. There are tasks for every age and physical ability.
Lastly please don’t volcano mulch trees. Google it. I’ve seen professionals do it and it kills trees over time. Putting anything around the base of a tree can do harm if done incorrectly. String trimming the bark off of a tree will harm it as well. Young trees are delicate like kids. With a little love they thrive.
Thanks and be green.
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