URBAN ROOTS
Event highlights importance of street trees
TROY, N.Y. » The Capital Roots and Urban Forestry Advisory Board, along with Mayor Patrick Madden, planted a Turkish Filbert tree on Federal Street in Troy on Friday morning to highlight the importance of street trees in the urban environment.
The planting was in celebration of Arbor Day, a day dedicated to public tree-planting in the U. S. and other countries. It also celebrated the firstever “Troy Earth Week,” emphasizing the city’s efforts to promote renewable energy, sustainability, and climate smart initiatives.
The planting was part of a city-wide tree planting program that was funded through a $25,000 Urban and Community Forestry grant from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The first planting of the project took place in October 2016 with 50 new trees planted throughout the City of Troy. In the fall, 50 new trees will be planted during the last stage of the project.
“Urban areas need more trees,” said Sharon DiLorenzo, Program Manager of Capital Roots. “If we’re losing trees at a higher rate than we’re putting them in the ground, we’re really doing a big disservice to the air quality and water quality of our city.”
Several of the ash trees in the city have also been
“If we’re losing trees at a higher rate than we’re putting them in the ground, we’re really doing a big disservice to the air quality and water quality of our city.” — Capital Roots Program Manager Sharon DiLorenzo
dying due to the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive wood-boring Asian beetle that feeds on Ash trees, killing millions throughout the eastern U. S. A $100,000 Invasive Species Rapid Response and Control grant from NYSDEC was awarded to the city of Troy to provide funding for the protecting of ash trees in Troy with injections that will kill the Emerald Ash Borer.
On Federal Street in Troy, there are several ash trees that have been invaded by the Emerald Ash Borer. The Turkish Filbert tree planted Friday morning will replace the ash trees, and high- light the importance of having street trees in the city.
“Cities have a lot of different environmental challenges,” said Dave Chinery, Extension Educator of Cornell Cooperative Extension. “Street trees keep the city cooler, reduce the runoff to the winter, and provide aesthetic benefits. We have to have trees in the city to make it a livable place.”
Property owners looking to protect and save ash trees on their own property can sign up for a class offered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County. The class — “The Green Menace: Emerald Ash Borer” — will be held on Thursday, May 10 at 7 p.m. at the Extension Office, 61 State Street in Troy.