Vernon’s urban forestry initiative, called Live Here – Love Trees, has already resulted in the planting of 34 trees on public property in the Rockville section of town. Additional trees will be planted this summer on qualifying private property in Rockville.
The project goal is to expand green spaces through the planting of at least 50 new, native species trees in Rockville, to expand green spaces and increase trees in Rockville, which is classified as economically and environmentally disadvantaged.
Trees that once lined Rockville streets have fallen victim to disease, pests, drought and extreme weather. That trend is even more pronounced in urban areas, where trees are older and more susceptible to pests and disease. The Town of Vernon has removed trees because they have fallen victim to the emerald ash borer, spongy moths and drought.
“Planting new, native species trees in Rockville will have a positive impact by providing shade and cooling our neighborhoods,” Mayor Dan Champagne said. “This grant is enabling us to add healthy trees, which absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen and improve the tree canopy in Rockville.”
In addition to an eastern redbud tree planted in Central Park to kick off the program, the following trees have been planted:
Saxony Park
Three sugar maple trees
Two flowering dogwood trees
Talcott Park
Two American sycamore trees
Two slippery elm trees
One white oak tree
Pitney Park
Three red maple trees
Rockville Public Library
Two redbud trees
Two flowering dogwood trees
Three northern white cedar/arborvitae
Maple Street School
One red maple tree
Two sugar maple trees
Two sweetgum trees
Rockville Rails to Trails/Nye Street Firehouse
Eight flowering dogwood trees
To qualify to receive trees under the program, private property owners went through training in tree care, maintenance and stewardship.
The Live Here – Love Threes program is funded by a competitive grant that was obtained by Vernon’s Planning Department and is one of only 10 awarded to urban and community forestry projects across Connecticut. In addition to planting trees, the grant is enabling the town to provide hands-on tree education, including proper care, maintenance and stewardship of trees, raise awareness of the health and ecosystem benefits of trees, and increase access to green spaces for residents and visitors.
Funding for the Live Here – Love Trees program is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Equity Grant, administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and supported by the Inflation Reduction Act.
The project area is north of South Street, east of West Road, south of the Ellington line and west of Grove and Prospect streets.
For additional information visit the link listed above, or contact Leslie Campolongo, Town of Vernon Planning Specialist, at 860-870-3635 or by email at Lcampolongo@vernon-ct.gov.