Trees planted as part of program

MIDDLETOWN — The Jonah Center of Middletown has planted a total of 18 trees in Portland as part of its Replace Our Trees program, courtesy of funds donated in 2020.

Sites were chosen that provide the highest public benefit, according to a press release from Jonah Center Executive Director John Hall. “In some cases, the property owners shared in the cost of the new trees, which extended our planting program,” he said.

Last year, the Jonah Center planted 22 trees in Middletown around the Northern Middlesex YMCA and on Middletown Housing Authority property between Church Street and William Street, the news release said.

Other trees are located in Portland at Quarry Heights and Chatham Court neighborhoods of the Portland Housing Authority; three were in the Quarry View Brownstone Park; as well as three on East Main Street, two on Main Street and one on Waverly Avenue.

Donors to the Jonah Center Tree Fund made these new trees possible, Hall said.

The Quarry View Park assumed half of the cost by delivering and planting the trees themselves, and Portland Housing Authority paid three-fifths of the cost of the ornamental trees they received, Hall said. Most of the 17 trees were largergrowing shade trees, such as red maple, oak, London plane and linden.

To donate to the fund, visit thejonahcenter.org.