The Town of Greenwich and the Greenwich Tree Conservancy have partnered to complete the first phase of an ambitious habitat restoration and tree-planting project at Laddin’s Rock Sanctuary in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
Located along the border of Old Greenwich and Stamford, the 18-acre sanctuary features natural forest, walking trails, and waterways. Prior to restoration efforts, large sections of the park had become severely degraded by invasive Japanese knotweed. Greenwich Parks & Trees staff removed the knotweed and will continue to monitor and maintain the area in the coming months.
Following the invasive removal, the Greenwich Tree Conservancy planted an initial 70 trees throughout the sanctuary, with additional plantings planned for the spring. The trees include a diverse mix of cold-hardy native species commonly found in Connecticut forests, such as American hornbeam, tulip tree, and five species of oak.
Future phases of the project will focus on restoring habitat in the adjacent riparian corridor along the brook. The Town of Greenwich and the Greenwich Tree Conservancy will again collaborate to remove invasive species and plant native riparian trees, including sweetgum and black tupelo.
Dr. Gregory Kramer, Superintendent of Parks & Trees and Tree Warden, noted, “Laddin’s Rock Sanctuary is a diverse forest with many native species of plants and animals. However, a few areas are in need of invasive plant removal and native plantings. The removal of the invasive plants and the planting of native trees and shrubs will both enhance the visitor experience and benefit wildlife.”
