2012 Fall RNeighborWoods Tree Grant Planting

Photo: On a very drippy Saturday afternoon, October 13, the RNeighborWoods team helped the Viking Village neighborhood plant 25 trees each, as part of their Neighborhood Tree Grant.

At RNeighbors, we know that trees make good neighbors. That is why we partner with the City of Rochester, the Park and Rec Department and Rochester Public Utilities to offer the RNeighborWoods Tree grant for a winning neighborhood to receive free boulevard trees in the spring and fall.

Congrats to the Viking Village neighborhood for planting 25 new boulevard trees on Saturday, October 13, winners of  the RNeighborWoods grant.

“I think our Neighborhood Tree Grant was totally priceless!  Even though it was a soggy day, EVERYONE is still talking about it. The weather is helping a LOT with the watering. I think it’s cool how my neighbors have actually adopted certain trees that were planted as their own personal tree, said Karen LeQuia from the Viking Hills Neighborhood.

Neighborhood Tree Grant winners had to ensure:

• At least 30 neighbors and one Citizen Forester will be available to help with the planting. The City Forestry Department oversaw the planting.
• Neighbors were asked to help at the other neighborhood planting, in addition to their own.
• Planting date had to take place Saturday, October 13, 2012.
• Neighbors committed to watering the trees for three full years.

The neighborhood received 25 ball and burlap trees paid for by Rochester Public Utilities. Jacob Ryg, City Forester selected the Gingko, Bur Oak, Kentucky Coffeetree, and Amur Maackia trees to diversify the neighborhoods tree species.  Under the power lines lilac trees were planted, ensuring they will not grow to a height that will cause problems for power lines.

The purpose of the RNeighborWoods Tree grant is to encourage the planting of trees on neighborhood boulevards. RNeighborWoods recognizes the importance and value of trees in Rochester neighborhoods. Trees provide numerous environmental benefits such as lower crime, cleaner air, energy savings, more public revenue, higher property values, and more efficient stormwater management.

The Neighborhood Tree Grant is offered in the spring and the fall. Be on the lookout (about March) for another tree grant opportunity.

When deciding what neighborhood to award the tree grant to, consideration is given to neighborhoods who have Citizen Foresters involved.

To see photos of the big day see our Facebook page.

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