August 16, 2007
Adopt a Tree in the neighborhood
The city’s Adopt a Tree Program is on again! Get a tree planted for a mere $50 and the promise to water and care for your tree in its first year. The actual cost of the tree and planting is around $250, so this is a great deal. The tree even comes with a “gator bag” for watering
If you don’t need a tree in front of your own house at this time, consider adopting an empty tree well in the neighborhood or perhaps adopting a new tree for one of the parks. There is a limited amount of funding available for this program, so it is important to reserve your tree today. Planting a tree today is a gift to the neighborhood that can last for generations.
Thanks to Bill Conkle of the Friends of Jefferson Park for the tip!
16 Responses to “Adopt a Tree in the neighborhood”
Share a Comment
Please remember that you are talking to your neighbors.
By posting, you are agreeing to this site's Privacy & Use Policy.
By posting, you are agreeing to this site's Privacy & Use Policy.
Can you repost the link to the Adopt a Tree Program? The link isn’t working.
fixed!
What if you have a tree in a well in front of your house which has grown to large? The sidewalk is lifted up from the roots and some of the branches rub up against my house. I don’t want to lose the shade but the side walk issue is of concern.
If you find that the City can’t grant your request under this program, you can also just get permission from the City Arborist to plant a tree in an empty tree well yourself. Just look up the arborist on the city website and send an e-mail with the location of the tree well and type of tree.
Arborist Luke McCall has been working with our neighborhood. Luke.Mccall@richmondgov.com 646-3799
You can imagine how busy he is with all the trees in the city, however, I have found him to be very helpful.
Whether you plant the tree yourself or participate in the Adopt a Tree Program, choosing an appropriate species for your location is important. I do have a list of appropriate trees if you would like one, or you can get it off the website.
Imagine how different our neighborhood would be with a healthy, mature, urban forest.
Slightly off topic, and maybe its been addressed before, but is anyone else disappointed with the way trees in the neighborhood are pruned, presumably by the power company. Many seem to have had their centers totally removed, leaving the appearance of giant wishbones. I know the limbs must be kept away from the lines, but does the trimming need to be so Draconian?
Mike, you are not alone… The pruning drives me crazy! The city planted an oak tree in front of my neighbor’s house a few years back and it just starting to get up into the lines. It pains me to think about that tree getting mangled like they do.
In response to rm – when a tree’s roots have lifted the sidewalk, the city will come and fix the sidewalk and trim the roots- or at least, that was my experience when I lived with brick sidewalks. I assume they do the same if the tree has lifted a cement sidewalk.
Unfortunately, I cannot remember who to call at the city to start the process – until I can remember, you might try Citizen’s Assistance, it’s listed in the blue pages of the phone book. Sorry, I’ll try to find the correct phone number to call. They’re aware that lifted sidewalks cause an impediment to walking, and, when alerted, they DO take action eventually.
We just made a donation to fill two empty tree wells with trees. The key is to pick a tree that fits the area. If there are power lines overhead, don’t plant a tree that is going to grow to 40+ ft tall. Otherwise, the power company/city will hack the tree to pieces creating the dreaded “wishbone effect.” The adopt-a-tree site lists the types of trees that are available and a rough idea of how tall each will grow, so you can pick the right type of tree.
Also, if you call to complain that a tree is damaging the sidewalk, the city will likely just remove the tree altogether, rather than just trim roots. That is exactly what happened on our block, due to our neighbors complaint. Now we are left with two empty tree wells that the city won’t refill. It’s up to us to make a donation to get them replaced. Crazy how this city works (or doesn’t work, I suppose I should say).
The deadline for receiving applications for the Adopt a Tree Program is October 1st- If want to participate, but dont have a place to adopt a tree, please contact me at junkifunki@aol.com Jefferson Park is in need of more than a few replacement trees. What I love about planting a tree is that for a $50 dollar investment you get a $250 tree for the neighborhood. And the next year it is worth double that and soon it becomes a priceless amenity on your street and in the neighborhood.
What if you do not have a tree well? Does the adopt a tree program provide for installing a tree well?
Beth: Go to the link above – Adopt a Tree Program – and click on “frequently asked questions” it will address the absent tree well issue. -Bill
The Friends of Jefferson Park is seeking to replace 20 trees in the park this Fall/Winter. The City is planting seven trees and we are seeking pledges of $50 each for the remaining 13 trees. If you live near or enjoy Jefferson Park, please consider pledging $50 for a new tree for the park. Just give me a call at 649-3764 or write junkifunki@aol.com to make the pledge. You can get the $50 to me at your convenience. I will handle all the paperwork and we can work together to get the trees watered over next summer. The deadline for taking advantage of this offer is Monday, October 1st. So please act quickly, if you are interested. I will start the ball rolling by pledging $50 for the first tree– 12 more trees to go!!! Thanks. Bill Conkle, President, Friends of Jefferson Park
Back when this post first aired, I emailed the city’s department of public works about a tree that was not living up to its potential in my tree well. The tree was young and only 8 feet tall or so and had several dead branches on it. So I asked for tips from the arborist or to be told whether or not I should just replace the tree through this program. The city sat on that email for a month and a half then wrote me back saying that the arborist could only be reached by phone (who does not have email? Why did it take them 6 weeks to respond to my email?). At this point, all of the cheap trees had been adopted, so I let the matter lie and did not call.
Yesterday, I came home to learn that the “arborist” had apparently visited and hacked my tree to the ground without as much as leaving a note.
Will they replace the tree? I sure as heck am not paying full price for one at this point.
And what does it take to become a city arborist? I am starting to think the only requirements are the ability to operate a chain saw and the ability to drive a pick up truck.
Chimborazo resident: If you feel comfortable doing so, please give me a call or email the location of the former tree. I am meeting with Norm Brown of the adopt a tree program and will be happy to advocate for you. I have found the folks in urban forestry to be very helpful, although stretched very thin. My phone number is 649-3764 my email is junkifunki@aol.com I am hopeful that something can be worked out. Peace.
Chimborazo Resident: I spoke with Norm Brown this morning and explained your situation. If you give me a call or send me an email, I believe we can resolve this problem. Thanks again for your concern for the urban forest. Peace.-Bill