2012 Spring RNeighborWoods Tree Grant Planting

Photo: On April 21, the RNeighborWoods team helped both the Historic SW and the Folwell neighborhoods 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.

“I’m very glad that, in the end, we managed to get 25 beautiful new trees in our neighborhood,” said Michael Spindler-Krage, lead organizer in the Historic SW neighborhood.  “Just as important, it was wonderful to see neighbors connecting in this common effort.  Some were already old friends, some were meeting for the first time.  We are a neighborhood of walkers and bikers, both adults and kids, and we just made our neighborhood a bit more beautiful and healthy, for years to come.”

Congrats to the Historic SW and the Folwell neighborhood for each planting 25 new boulevard trees on Saturday, April 21. Both were winners of  the RNeighborWoods grant.

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, April 21.
• Neighbors committed to watering the trees for three full years.

Each neighborhood received 25 trees paid for by Rochester Public Utilities. Jacob Ryg, City Forester selected tree varieties of Ginkgo, Accolade Elm, Japanese Tree Lilac and Ornamental Pear trees to diversify the neighborhoods tree species.  They will also 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 August) 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. Check back in August to see when the fall Citizen Forester class is scheduled.

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

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