Neighborhood Tree Grant – a Leafy Success

November 18, 2009

Submitted by Rene Jones Lafflam on Thu, 2007-10-18 13:21.

All ages of Folwell neighbors came out to plant their trees.

Have you ever taken the time to appreciate a tree-lined street? Four Rochester neighborhoods will now be able to enjoy leafy boulevards next spring, thanks to recent tree plantings in Rochester.As part National NeighborWoods month, RNeighborWoods offered a Neighborhood Tree Grant for winning neighborhoods to receive free boulevard trees. Since 2006, the RNeighborWoods group has planted 200 seedlings and 444 ball-in-burlap boulevard trees in Rochester.

What is a boulevard? It’s an city-owned area between the edge of street or curb and the sidewalk, or property line if no sidewalk exists.

Slatterly Park Neighbors planted their 10 granted trees. Ed Hruska, City Council member stopped by to help.

Four neighborhoods received these trees and planting assistance including Hart Farms, Badger Ridge, Slatterly Park, and Folwell. Tree varieties planted were chosen by Jacob Ryg, City Forester, and include Accolade Elm, Amur Maackia, Hackberry, Kentucky Coffeetree, and Ginkgo. For spaces under power lines, the appropriate variety was chosen. Trees were purchased by the City and RPU. Most neighborhoods choose to purchase additional trees. All total, 106 trees were planted in neighborhoods thanks to the work of volunteers and the Neighborhood Tree Grant.

In all Badger Ridge planted 56 trees in their neighborhood this fall.

Jessi Mauskemo, a resident of Tomah Place, in the Badger Ridge development, helped to organize her neighbors and plant 56 trees this week. Jessi said, “What you have done for our sub-division has been terrific, a huge thank you to RNeighborWoods for all of the wonderful trees! They look fabulous and add green to our neighborhood.”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.

RNeighborWoods Partners

National NeighborWoods Partners

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