Organization
The Shade Tree Committee advises the Township Committee in matters
relating to tree policy, planting and care. The committee was formed
in 1986 and there are seven members appointed yearly. The committee
members are participating in the Planning Board & Zoning Board
development application reviews. The committee works closely with
the Parks Foreman and the Department of Public Works. It collaborates
with the scouts, local businesses, students, the Environmental Commission
and the Open Space Committee on a variety of projects. The committee
meets on every third Wednesday of the month in the volunteer conference room
in the municipal building at 7:30 PM. The public is always welcome
at the meetings.
Charge
The committee is charged with the planting, care and preservation
of public trees. Some of the past planting projects include street
trees on many township streets, the screening of the tennis courts
at the High School, the High School entry and frontage, enhancement
of the municipal building landscaping, plantings at the Poor Farm
Cemetery on Sunset Road, plans for the Senior Center garden, Harlingen
Green, and Montgomery Arboretum of Native Flora, recreation of a wayside
hedgerow at the realigned River Road, and planting in conservation
easements.
The committee reviews tree ordinances and other legislation to see
what applies to Montgomery and which desirable changes could be introduced.
It also prepares grant proposals for funding of planting projects.
Members attend continuing education courses and conferences to serve
the public better. Articles informing residents about tree care appear
often in the township newsletter and in Montgomery News. Links to these articles
are found below.
Arbor Day
The committee began its tradition of providing various Arbor Day programs in 1987.
These programs aer designed to encourage interest in tree planting and to offset the disappearing tree cover in Montgomery. Each year the Shade
Tree Committee introduces a different species of tree. Past years featured: Douglas Fir, Norway Spruce,
White Pine, Red Oak, Honey Locust, Yellowwood, Shadblow, Pin Oak,
Sugar Maple, Sweetbay Magnolia, Tupelo, American Hornbeam, Bald Cypress,
Bur Oak, Sweetgum, Shumard Oak, Chestnut Oak, Redbud and White Oak.
- 3rd Grade workshops and free trees
All 3rd graders in the Village Elementary School have workshops with
the Shade Tree
Committee members and other volunteers, including local tree surgeons. The worships focus on the important of trees and the proper way to plant and care for trees. Each child received a tree seedling with easy to understand planting instructions, and an illustrated description of the tree.
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Free trees for newborn babies
Tree seedlings are also given on Arbor Day to babies that were born
in Montgomery in the
previous calendar year. Extra seedlings are then given away to interested Township residents.
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Arbor Day planting project
Each Arbor Day is commemorated with the planting of a new tree on Township land. Past planting sites have included the Muncipal Building property, Montgomery Park, Harlingen Green, and Van Horne Park.
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Contest and live exhibit
The Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill hosts a seed contest for children 'Can You Tell the Tree?
Can You Count the Seeds?'.
The young readers are asked to try to identify the species of a tree
by its seeds with the help of a tree identification book, and, to guess the number of tree seeds in
a large jar. Each year the committee presents a different mystery tree, whose seed are later
offered for planting. In the past the contest featured: red oak, buttonwood, Canadian hemlock, red spruce,
white pine,
sweetgum, American beech, black walnut, honey locust, sugar maple,
Kentucky coffee tree, shagbark hickory, redbud and scarlet oak. The winner gets a book about
trees from the Eyewitness series.
Call
for volunteers
If you are interrested in participating in the annual Arbor Day program in April, or apply to serve on
the committee, please contact by email at STC@twp.montgomery.nj.us.
Landmark Trees
The Committee has compiled a list of Montgomery Twp. Landmark Trees.
The current champion is a white ash measuring 16 feet 11 inches. If
you have a candidate for our list (over 6 feet in circumference for
tall trees and over 3 feet in circumference for understory trees,
both at 4.5 feet from the ground), please send the information about
your tree along with your name, address and telephone number to the
Shade Tree Committee at Shade Tree Committee.
Pruning Demonstrations
Pruning demonstrations and workshops for the public are conducted
periodically. If you would like to attend one in late March please
contact STC@twp.montgomery.nj.us.
