Commons Reforesting Project
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Ancient proverb
Ancient proverb
About a year ago Laurelwood neighbor Mike Luibrand (Westmoreland Court) proposed to the Laurelwood Board that we plant deciduous, native American shade trees all throughout our Commons, creating an open canopy savanna type forest. Trees would be 40 to 60 feet apart, providing a nice umbrella-like canopy with plenty of walking space underneath. This would be wonderful on those hot summer days where the Commons is more like a desert of dried out grass and would provide gorgeous Fall color. Additionally, it would improve the ecosystem of the Commons, the appearance of the Commons and likely the property values near the Commons.
To date, all our Commons tree maintenance has been removing dead, dying or damaged trees, as well as our buckthorn invasive tree removal efforts. This has resulted in fewer trees overall, and has produced some concern from neighbors about how to replace these losses.
Some of you are concerned about the health of the planet and this is a great project for that. There is no denying all the woodlands that have been replaced with subdivisions all around our sub over the past 20 years. The trees and nutritious soil were removed and replaced with houses, driveways, streets and sterile sod. There are many fewer birds and other wildlife in the area, as a result.
We (Mike and some Board members) have spoken with the City of Troy Arborists, and other city planning people, and the project has their full support. We recently had a board meeting where we were presented with more details, and the Board agreed that this is a worthwhile project.
Right now the plan is to start planting 30 to 40 trees per year, starting in October of this year and ending up with 120 or so trees when completed.
A budget of $1,000 was approved, with most of that money going to start-up costs, with a plan to re-use as much of our purchased material as possible (watering bags, tree protection “cages”, etc.)
You may have noticed about a dozen chicken wire cages that were installed last Spring. This was to protect oak trees that the Blue Jays and squirrels had started for us. These are part of an experiment to learn how to keep young seedlings and saplings alive during their early years. About 100 Oaks and 30 Maples were rescued from the Commons last year and put in pots and the plan is to give them a couple of years’ worth of growth and then transplant them back into the Commons.
Mike Luibrand and Brian Holley are currently spearheading the tree planning group. Anyone who would like to join the group or have any specific ideas about the trees can contact us - see the Contact us! at the bottom of this page.
25 years from now the Commons should start to look much better. 50 years from now the Commons will be fantastic. 100 years from now, it will be incredible. Our grandkids, and many generations to follow, will enjoy what we have created.
Neighborhood feedback and assistance with this wonderful new project is welcomed and appreciated. We will post progress on the Laurelwood website, under the Commons tab.
Anyone looking to help with the Buckthorn Removal Project is also welcome!
To date, all our Commons tree maintenance has been removing dead, dying or damaged trees, as well as our buckthorn invasive tree removal efforts. This has resulted in fewer trees overall, and has produced some concern from neighbors about how to replace these losses.
Some of you are concerned about the health of the planet and this is a great project for that. There is no denying all the woodlands that have been replaced with subdivisions all around our sub over the past 20 years. The trees and nutritious soil were removed and replaced with houses, driveways, streets and sterile sod. There are many fewer birds and other wildlife in the area, as a result.
We (Mike and some Board members) have spoken with the City of Troy Arborists, and other city planning people, and the project has their full support. We recently had a board meeting where we were presented with more details, and the Board agreed that this is a worthwhile project.
Right now the plan is to start planting 30 to 40 trees per year, starting in October of this year and ending up with 120 or so trees when completed.
A budget of $1,000 was approved, with most of that money going to start-up costs, with a plan to re-use as much of our purchased material as possible (watering bags, tree protection “cages”, etc.)
You may have noticed about a dozen chicken wire cages that were installed last Spring. This was to protect oak trees that the Blue Jays and squirrels had started for us. These are part of an experiment to learn how to keep young seedlings and saplings alive during their early years. About 100 Oaks and 30 Maples were rescued from the Commons last year and put in pots and the plan is to give them a couple of years’ worth of growth and then transplant them back into the Commons.
Mike Luibrand and Brian Holley are currently spearheading the tree planning group. Anyone who would like to join the group or have any specific ideas about the trees can contact us - see the Contact us! at the bottom of this page.
25 years from now the Commons should start to look much better. 50 years from now the Commons will be fantastic. 100 years from now, it will be incredible. Our grandkids, and many generations to follow, will enjoy what we have created.
Neighborhood feedback and assistance with this wonderful new project is welcomed and appreciated. We will post progress on the Laurelwood website, under the Commons tab.
Anyone looking to help with the Buckthorn Removal Project is also welcome!