By JoAnn Messina
Have you ever noticed the green bags surrounding planted trees on town roads? Those bags are a sign that a tree has been planted by the Greenwich Tree Conservancy! I am frequently asked why the bags are often empty and that is simply a matter of timing, as while the water takes just a few hours to drain, it can provide the tree with enough hydration for up to a week.
The Greenwich Tree Conservancy (GTC), celebrating 15 years, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the tree canopy of Greenwich for the benefit of community health and quality of life. The GTC’s partnership with the Town of Greenwich began in 2007 out of a shared belief that the town would benefit from a tree preservation and protection organization.
What, you may ask, does the GTC do? First and foremost, the Conservancy has planted over 5000 trees on town lands, in partnership with the town. Included in this number are 4 Gratitude Groves, planted last year in honor of our frontline workers and local heroes, who protected our lives and our community. While this accomplishment is dwarfed by the loss of tree canopy over these past 15 years, it helps to ensure the future of trees on town roads, in parks and on school grounds.
Perhaps you have read some of the name plates on trees when walking in your neighborhood, in your favorite park or library, or at your school. The GTC has created an internationally recognized town-wide Arboretum with hundreds of labeled trees featuring both their common and botanical names. You may have also wandered by a group gathering near a park tree, curious as to what the person with the microphone is discussing as everyone listens. That is likely one of GTC’s many free tree walks, often led by Town Tree Warden, Dr. Greg Kramer. The GTC has hosted 40 such walks since our inception and encourage you to join us at our next.
Have you driven by a Tree City USA sign as you enter town? Greenwich is one of just 17 communities in Connecticut awarded this designation by the Arbor Day Foundation and we celebrate with an Arbor Day school tree planting each year.
The GTC also hosts workshops and speaker events with respected authors such as Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees, and most recently, Douglas Tallamy, author of The Nature of Oaks. We were honored to host a screening of the Judi Dench documentary, My Passion for Trees at the Avon Theatre in Stamford. Whenever and wherever possible GTC collaborates with town conservation partners to offer residents additional opportunities to learn about trees and the healthy ecosystems they support.
On a more serious note, the clear cutting that brought about the formation of the Greenwich Tree Conservancy continues to be of great concern. The GTC believes both education and advocacy are important when discussing trees as they offer such a valuable buffer against a changing climate. We were instrumental in the passing of the Town’s Public Tree Ordinance and have offered testimony at numerous local tree hearings. When called upon we testify at the state level and have an ongoing dialogue with state utility companies. Four years ago, we began our Treasured Trees program offering homeowners the opportunity to submit stories of beloved trees on their private property and through this program have begun labeling private trees. Preservation of our private tree canopy has become as or more important than protection of our public tree canopy.
Throughout our history we have continued to plant, preserve and protect our town trees and are most grateful for the support of over 1000 residents and business owners and look forward to meeting the needs of both individual residents and the community as we work to maintain and compound all the benefits that come from a healthy town tree canopy.
