Trees make good neighbors.

Since 2006, the RNeighborWoods program has organized the planting of over 1,000 trees on Rochester boulevards, that provide multiple ecological and other public benefits including reducing Rochester’s carbon footprint. This spring the City of Rochester and RNeighbors is offering a grant for a winning neighborhood to receive free boulevard trees.

Announcing the RNeighborWoods Tree Grant!

We have 20 trees that will all be planted in a deserving neighborhood by the neighbors! You can read about the success of last fall’s neighborhood grant receiptient.

Now tell us your story and make a case for why your neighborhood is deserving of this leafy grant. Eligible neighborhoods must be a registered Neighborhood Association in Rochester or willing to hear about the benefits of organising into an Association. Applications can be filled out online and will be accepted through Sunday, April 12, at 5 pm. Neighborhoods will work with the RNeighborWoods committee to determine appropriate tree locations.

Tree varieties available have been selected by Jacob Ryg, City Forester, and include Ginkgo, Bur Oak, Kentucky Coffeetree, and Amur Maackia for spaces under power lines, the appropriate variety will be chosen that will not need to be cut back.

Each application must ensure:

• At least 30 neighbors and one Citizen Forester will be available to help with the planting. RNeighborWoods will oversee the planting.
• There must be a core planning group of four neighbors who commit to taking an active role in the planting planning.
• Planting date must take place on Saturday, May 2, 2009, (rain or shine) at 9 am.
• Neighbors will commit to watering the trees for three full years.
• Boulevard tree recipients must understand that there are times when trees do not survive. There will not be replacement trees for trees that die.

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 RNeighborWoods committee will evaluate applications and make decisions at their meeting on April 13, 2009. Winners will be communicated with by April 14, 2009.

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