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The Greenwich Tree Conservancys goal of planting 370 trees for the towns 370th anniversary was set back after a Nor'easter storm in March 2010 knocked down more than 700 trees in town. Luckily, Executive Director JoAnn Messina says, the group reached its goal just in time.
It was a goal we set in 2008 and we werent sure we were going to make the deadline, but we did, said Messina. Were very excited that we had so many people interested in planting trees, so much so that weve actually planted over 370.
Thanks to the conservancys Commemorative Tree Program, 100 donors gave more than $100,000 to plant trees throughout town. The conservancy outsourced planting to Fairfield House and Garden as well as to Sam Bridge Nursery by partnering with the town and with Tree Warden Bruce Spaman.
A Greenwich resident for over 18 years, Messina saw a need for tree support in Greenwich and served as the conservancy's leader since its inception. In addition to advocating tree protection policies and funding, the conservancy's goals include locating and maintaining or revitalizing significant trees and identifying sites for new tree plantings.
On Friday, the conservancy held its first annual Tree Party at McArdles Greenhouse to celebrate the completion of the tree planting. It launched its second major initiative, Shady Lanes, which Messina says will focus on planting and caring for trees along town roads.
The first years work will center on Hamilton Avenue, Sound Beach Avenue and Lake Avenue. We want to eventually cover the whole town, planting different types of trees so that if a species became infected, it wouldnt wipe out all of the trees, said Messina. Were just looking forward to the next step.
What streets in Greenwich do you think should be part of the Shady Lanes project?
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