Printer Friendly Version - New Trees on the Branford Green Help Celebrate Arbor Day

Shown standing beside one of three newly planted American sycamores on the Branford green are (front l-r): Green Committee members Don Gentile, Dave Minicozzi, (chair), Branford Parks and Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi, Green committe members Ann Freeman, Cynthia Wright, Susan McNamara, Pat Sanders, First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove and (back, l-r): Department of Public Works (DPW) crew members Dan Mackinnel, Kevin Lohr, Tucker Esborne, and Tree Warden/DPW supervisor Gary Zielinski. Pam Johnson/The Sound

In a town known as a Tree City USA, planting trees to celebrate Arbor Day (celebrated this year on Friday, April 28), is part of the plan, including an effort to locate new native trees on the historic Branford town green.

Recently, three new American sycamore trees have been planted on the green, thanks to a collaborative effort of the Branford Green Committee, Town of Branford, Branford Public Works, and Branford Parks and Recreation.

As a designated Tree City USA, Branford plants over 40 trees annually on public land, and is reimbursed approximately one-third of the expense through an annual grant from the Arbor Day Foundation.

First selectman Jamie Cosgrove recognized the Green Committee, Public Works and Parks and Recreation for their continued teamwork to foster the green, including it’s remarkable collection of trees, from these three newest to several of more than a century in age.

“They’re ensuring the green remains a place of beauty for all Branford residents, not only today, but for generations to come,” said Cosgrove.

Green Committee chairman David Minicozzi recognized the efforts of Pat Sanders in assisting the committee with a project which has mapped locations and species of some 140 trees among the 4 acres of the green.

Branford’s Tree Warden, Gary Zielinksi, works with an arborist and collaborates with the Green Committee for an annual tree assessment which ensures the health and maintenance of all trees on the green. Zielinski is also Branford’s Public Works supervisor.

“Their long view is ensuring that we are good stewards,” said Cosgrove of the collaborative effort. “We have a lot of beautiful trees here that are over 100 years old. What we’re doing today is ensuring that the same beauty that exists today will be there for generations. Our trees here are an important part of the character of the green.”

Public Works assists with installing trees on the green, which is maintained by Parks and Recreation as a 100 percent organic town property, along with Branford’s other park spaces.

Minicozzi said the three newly planted sycamore trees, located behind Town Hall and fronting the drive between the First Congregational Church and the back of the green, were selected and placed to create a line of five of the same tree species. The line begins with a mature sycamore at the South Main Street entrance, then continues with the three new plantings along the lane, and ends with another mature sycamore near the top of the rise. The trees, which can grow to 75 to 100 feet in height, have a distinctive, mottled bark.

Minicozzi said the Green Committee is glad to be part of a collaborative effort that will continue to include bringing more plantings to the green.

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 citizens (members at-large) to those connected to churches on the green, business groups and community groups.