This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/02/2022 12:00 AMBranford's multiple organizations and local leaders who work to support the planting and conservation of trees in town celebrated Arbor Day at two newly-planted tree locations last week, at Parker Memorial Park in Branford Point and on the Branford Green.
"It's a collaborative effort. We're all going toward the same goal," said Town Tree Warden Gary Zielinski of the number of different individuals, volunteers and community leaders involved.
At Branford Point's Parker Memorial Park, members of the Branford Garden Club (BGC) gathered with First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, Zielinski, Branford Parks and Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi Jr., Branford Community Forest Commission (BFC) member Shirley McCarthy, resident Bill Van Wilgen (owner of Van Wilgen's Garden Center), Branford Dept. of Public Works (DPW) crew. Together with many friends of Mary Hahn, the group was there to celebrate the planting of a native Honey Locust tree at the site of a former tree Hahn had dubbed the "Peace Tree," which came down in a storm last year.
On the Branford Green, members of the Branford Green Committee gathered with Zielinski, Palluzzi and McCarthy to mark the recent installation of Branford's new, evergreen Holiday Tree, a native White Spruce.
Both events also recognized Branford's continuing status as an Arbor Day Foundation "Tree City USA." The two newly-planted trees are among the 40-plus trees installed in locations around town this year as part of the Town's annual tree-planting program, said Zielinski.
Honoring Hahn
After a storm took down a tree which had for years provided shade over impromptu, friendly gatherings encouraged by Hahn, BGC decided the next tree to occupy the spot should be planted in Hahn's honor and worked with the Town to arrange for its dedication, said club president Nancy Judd.
A frequenter of the park, Hahn is a local resident, long-time non-profit SARAH's Cupboard Thriftshop volunteer and a past appointed member of Branford's Commission on Elderly Services.
"She has been coming to Branford Point for years, sitting under this tree," said Judd. "She named it the Peace Tree because she felt the peace and serenity of sitting in the park. Over the years, she has invited people to join her under the tree, and here they are today."
A large group of Hahn's friends, together with several BGC members were among those on hand as Cosgrove helped to recognize Hahn at the tree's dedication on April 29.
"This park is one of Branford's treasures," Cosgrove. "There are number of departments and individuals that help maintain our parks, and we're also fortunate that we're able to maintain these treasures due to volunteers and people who contribute, like Mary, to provide community service to the Town of Branford."
Cosgrove said the Town works not only to maintain its parks as a place residents can take pride in, but to leave it better for the next generation to enjoy.
"Every time we plant a tree, that's what we're doing – leaving something that's going to be here for generations," Cosgrove said.
Hahn said she was delighted to have her friends gather with her under the newly planted Peace Tree. She said she looking forward to another summer enjoying the park and waterfront together with her friends.
"I just love it," said Hahn of the newly planted tree, and the combined effort of many to dedicate it in her honor. "That was very nice of them."
Cosgrove said the big group at the day's event was both a tribute to Hahn as well as to the town's many dedicated community members and volunteers.
"When I saw the turnout that was here for her, I think it just really embodied what community is," said Cosgrove. "People that volunteer and serve in different capacities all came out to be part of this day and this dedication."
Palluzzi thanked Hahn and her friends for coming to the park and thanked Jim Tucker, the park's caretaker of many years, for his work to maintain the park. He thanked BGC for stepping up to develop the planting and dedication, working with the Town's Tree Warden and Dept. of Parks and Recreation. He also thanked Bill Van Wilgen and his wife, Laurie Van Wilgen, for their continuing community support.
"A lot of people don't realize how much they have done for us over the years, and they never ask for credit or get credit, said Palluzzi of the Van Wilgens. "They do so many things behind the scenes, including their help with the new holiday tree we just planted on the green."
Celebrating Branford's New Holiday Tree
For many years, the centerpiece of Branford's annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting has been a living tree which grows on the Branford green. With a newly planted native White Spruce, the tradition will continue.
As previously reported, the new tree was planted in April to replace the former Holiday Tree, an ailing, non-native Colorado Blue Spruce. The decision to replace the tree was made by Cosgrove, working with Zielinski based on a arborist's evaluation as well as input from the advisory Branford Green Committee. The replacement was made with expert assistance from Van Wilgen's Garden Center and DPW crews.
Branford Parks and Recreation Department manages the all-organic lawns of the Green as well as the lighting of the Holiday Tree each year. The tree is also on the radar of Branford's CFC, which has as its purpose recognizing and promoting the importance and benefits of trees in the community.
To recognize Arbor Day, members of the Green Committee gathered at the tree, together with Zielinski, Palluzzi and McCarthy. Green Committee chair David Minicozzi said Arbor Day also provided the perfect opportunity for the committee to announce that it has completed years of work to develop a map of all the trees on the Branford Green, soon to be published and available to the public on the Town website (www.branford-ct.gov ).
The map will include all trees currently on the Green, established and newly planted, together with a key signifying "...notable trees, memorial trees and donated trees," said Minicozzi.
Minicozzi credited committee member Pat Sanders with spearheading the project.
"The Branford Green is the gem of the shoreline," said Sanders, adding that many may not realize how many trees are situated at the site; which is well over 120 trees.
"We have four areas of the green, and there are about 30 or 40 trees in each area," said Sanders.
The green's four-acre landscape in the heart of Branford's town center is externally bounded by Main Street, Montowese Street and South Main Street. The Green Committee is an advisory group of nine citizen volunteers appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Members represent several key organizations with connections to the town green, from those representing citizens (members at-large) to those connected to churches on the green, business groups and community groups, such as BGC.
Branford's Tree Planting Program
As a designated Tree City USA, Zielinski said Branford plants over 40 trees annually and receives the benefit of some reimbursement, approximately one-third of the expense, through an annual grant from the Arbor Day Foundation.
While plantings like the two celebrated last week may be more visible, other town-planted trees go into many different areas identified throughout the community. The Town also accepts and evaluates tree planting requests made by citizens, said Zielinski, who also serves as the Town's DPW Supervisor.
"Residents can always request a street tree, as long as it goes in a Town right-of-way. They can always call DPW and we'll get you on the list," he said. "If there's room within the right-of-way, and there are no utility wires or underground utilities in the way, we'll find a tree for that spot."
Some patience is also required -- the request, if accepted, may take up to a year to plan and complete.
McCarthy said the most beneficial tree to plant in this area is the native White Oak and noted Branford's CFC is helping DPW promote the program with a link to the Tree Request Form available at the commission's page on the Town website.
Residents can also call DPW at (203) 488-4156.