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Pleasantville Hopes to Branch Out Tree Program

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pleasantville will once again participate in a beautification program called the 50/50 Tree Program in hopes that more residents will take advantage of improving the aesthetics of the village and property value of their homes.

“I think in the past it was a bit dormant because there were bigger priorities around the village, including planting street trees,” said Pleasantville Conservation Advisory Committee Chair Helen Meurer.

The 50/50 Tree Program and is an annual spring initiative taken by the Board of Trustees and the Conservation Advisory Committee. The village purchases a variety of trees that are compatible with Pleasantville’s climate such as pine and maple trees. Residents can then purchase the trees from the village for half cost to plant somewhere on their private property. Once the tree is purchased, it is the resident’s responsibility to maintain and care for the tree. 

Although the program gives an opportunity to residents, Village Administrator Patti Dwyer said that in the past not as many residents have taken advantage of it as they had hoped.

“We plan every year with the Board of Trustees with how many trees we want to purchase and in the past I don’t think we’ve planted any more than a dozen trees in a year,” Dwyer said. “So it’s an opportunity for residents to help green the village but it’s not something that we’ve seen an extraordinary participation.”

Dwyer said it is also a chance for residents in the village to plant trees along the edge of the property.

“Some people’s property comes so close to the street that the village is unable to plant anything there without going onto private property,” Dwyer said. “This is a way for residents to develop some nice tree lines or canopies on their property if they’re interested.”

Dwyer said the Board of Trustees discussed the program earlier this month and plans to designate around up to $3,500 in the upcoming budget to purchase the trees. Prices for the trees have not been set and vary based on size. Muerer said the program should be set to begin by the late spring. 

 

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