151st anniversary of Arbor Day
Long Hill Township Shade Tree Commission
Arbor Day was celebrated with various activities on Friday, April 28th. This year marked the 151st anniversary of the tree planter’s holiday. Mayor Scott Lavender issued a proclamation and a Hawthorn tree was planted on Carlton Road in Millington to honor the holiday.
Trees play a critical role in creating healthier and safer communities. They clean the air, filter the water, and slow storm surge and flooding in cities. Trees are a proven, affordable, natural way to fight climate change by pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere today.
The Shade Tree Commission’s Challenge Grant program gave property owners the opportunity to purchase trees for about half the retail value, with the Township paying the balance with grant funds. Twenty trees were planted.
Installation was free and arranged by the Township, resulting in a substantial savings for property owners. Department of Public Works director, Al Gallo and his workers planted the trees. The installed trees included Swamp White Oak, Eastern Redbud and the White Dogwood.
On Saturday, April 29th, the Shade Tree Commission with the help of the Long Hill Girl Scout Troop 6291, distributed 170 tree saplings free of charge to Township residents. The saplings included Bur Oak, White Dogwood, and Chestnut Oak. Pictures of each species and pamphlets on how to plant trees were provided with the saplings.
The distribution of saplings was part of the Tree Recovery Campaign. The Campaign’s goal was to distribute saplings to New Jersey residents to replace trees lost to natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy, and trees damaged by several new invasive insects to New Jersey.
The program is a joint effort between Long Hill Township, New Jersey Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program State Forest Service Nursery, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, and the Arbor Day Foundation.
When properly planted and maintained, trees are community assets. They improve a neighborhood or business district visual appeal, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, mitigate water run-off, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.
Courtesy photos
