Ellsworth Arbor Commission Kicks Off Three-Year Tree Planting Program
Ellsworth, Maine – On November 14 at 9 a.m. the City of Ellsworth’s Arbor Commission will be launching a three-year tree planting program with the installation of eight trees along the verge of Route 3 near the Goodwill Store. As with the very successful planting of the eight trees in the same verge closer to the Routes 1 and 3 triangle a few years ago, this will be a joint planting effort involving City workers and volunteers from the public. Unlike that first planting, however, all the trees to be planted will have been grown on at the Community Tree Nursery at Jordan Homestead Preserve on Bayside Road, a joint project of Green Ellsworth and partner organizations, the Ellsworth Garden Club and Frenchman Bay Conservancy.
The Arbor Commission is looking for volunteers to help with this great event! Those available should meet at the Goodwill parking area at 9 a.m. Volunteers should wear sturdy footwear and bring shovels and rakes if they have them. Safety gear and equipment operators for the heaviest digging will be provided. Planting is expected to last a couple of hours, depending on the number of volunteers who participate. Volunteers who cannot stay for the whole planting are welcome to leave early or come late. In case of inclement weather, the rain date will be November 15 at 9 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to call 667-8878 or email the commission at arborcommission@ellsworthmaine.gov to sign up for the planting event so they can be alerted if there is a postponement.
This planting will also be an occasion for celebrating the completion of the Arbor Commission’s first year and its recent success in securing $193,000 in grant funding for developing formal forestry management plans and re-treeing the City. Prior to the 1960s, Ellsworth’s tree-lined streets (including Main Street and High Street) were the focus of numerous post cards and a cause for considerable pride. With the help of community volunteers and city workers over the next three years, the Arbor Commission intends to begin re-treeing the city and restoring the canopy that is needed now more than ever with our increasingly hot summers and heavier traffic.
The Arbor Commission welcomes interest from potential volunteers or tree sponsors. For more information contact the Arbor Commission at arborcommission@ellsworthmaine.gov or attend an Arbor Commission meeting at 8:15 a.m. on the first Monday of each month at City Hall.
