Driving along the streets of West Windsor right after the devestating hurricane Sandy, we all saw the the damage it had caused to our trees. It uprooted many and severely damaged many more. Power was lost in many homes. Events beyond our control happen every day. How we deal with it matters. Thanks to the West Windsor leadership team, Public Works staff, and the residents who delt with this disasterous event in an efficient and effective manner.
The sight of the tree branches and fallen trees piled up on roadsides after the super storm Sandy made some even wonder if West Windsor still is a Tree City USA. Yes, I assure you we are. Sure, hundreds of trees were uprooted or badly damaged, but the Township plans to replace the damaged sidewalk and replace most of the trees. After the wrath of Sandy, Arbor Day is much more meaningful to our town this year than ever before.
West Windsor Township has achieved “Tree City USA” status every year for the last 33 years and anticipates being certified once again as a “Tree City” for 2013 by the National Arbor Day Foundation (application pending approval). With your help we plan to maintain that status for many more years to come. Only six other municipalities in New Jersey have been awarded with this distinction for such a continuous time period. We were the first town recognized in New Jersey as Greentown USA.
West Windsor is ready to celebrate Arbor Day again! Come and join us on Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m. at the Ronald R. Rogers Arboretum at the corner of Clarksville and Princeton-Hightstown roads, across from High School South. In case of rain the event will be held at the West Windsor Senior Center on Clarksville Road.
Key events include an Arbor Day Proclamation by Mayor Shing Fu-Hsueh, a discussion of tree planting and care by the Shade Tree Commission awards for the WW-P Student Art Competition, “Learn to Identify Common Trees and Local Insects,” participation by the Girls Scouts, Boys Scouts, and school music groups, and refreshments. Attendees can take home a free tree seedling.
A brief history fo Arbor Day: The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872, in Nebraska. It was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist and politician originally from Michigan. Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques and served as President Grover Cleveland’s Secretary of Agriculture. But his most important legacy is Arbor Day.
Nebraska’s first Arbor Day was an amazing success. More than one million trees were planted. A second Arbor Day took place in 1884, and the state made it an annual legal holiday in 1885, using April 22 to coincide with Morton’s birthday.
In the years following that first Arbor Day, Morton’s idea spread beyond Nebraska with Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Ohio proclaiming their own Arbor Days. Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day. In 1970 President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is also now celebrated around the world. Variations are celebrated as “Greening Week” of Japan, “The New Year’s Days of Trees” in Israel, “The Tree-loving Week” of Korea, “The Students’ Afforestation Day” of Iceland, and “The National Festival of Tree Planting” in India.
For the homeowner, Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property and plan for the future. Inspect your trees. Note any broken branches or evidence of disease or insect infestation. Think about how planting new trees might improve the look of your property or provide wind or heat protection or improve your property value. Take a trip to your local nursery to see what’s available and to get new ideas. Walk around your neighborhood. Are there any public areas where tree planting or tree maintenance might make a real difference to your community? Talk with your neighbors. Find out what their opinions are. And, oh yes, plant a tree. Replace the tree you lost.
Come and celebrate this year’s Arbor Day with us and bring all your tree-related questions for expert answers!
Ram Ramachandran, Ph.D.
Member, Shade Tree Commission
