Residents ask Amenia to issue proclamation for Tree City USA designation

AMENIA — As Arbor Day approaches on Friday, April 24, the Town Board heard a request from local gardeners to issue a proclamation that would move the town toward Tree City USA designation from the national Arbor Day Foundation.

Detailing the requirements for the application process, gardening expert Maryanne Snow-Pitts spoke at the regular Town Board meeting on Thursday, April 16. Spearheading the application process is resident and showcase gardener Paul Arcario, who also spoke.

Both asked the Town Board to agree to issue a proclamation in support of becoming a Tree City. Town attorney Ian Lindars advised that the board would need to pass a resolution to move forward with the proclamation, indicating that he would prepare the resolution for action at the next meeting.

To complete the application, Snow-Pitts said the town needs to observe Arbor Day with an event that includes planting a tree on the fourth Friday in April, the nationally recognized date of Arbor Day.The tradition of Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1872, where settlers saw a need on the treeless prairie to introduce trees for protection against wind, and as a source for heat and lumber. A million trees were planted soon after.

Other application requirements include the town establishing a tree management policy and a Tree Board to administer the policy while promoting local tree planting. The town would also need to designate $2 per resident to fund the program, which in Amenia, with its population of about 3,500, would total around $7,000. However, Snow-Pitts noted that the value of volunteer hours can offset some of that total.

The Tree City USA program is a nationwide recognition program. Communities that meet the Arbor Day Foundation’s standards can apply every year for a designation. The program aims to promote community tree plantings and encourage communities to plant and care for more trees.

“We started last year with a tree planting on the Rail Trail in Wassaic,” Show-Pitts said, noting that this year’s tree planting will happen at the same location on Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m., near Maxon Mills. The Amenia Garden Club is providing the tree.

“We feel that the proclamation is doable, since we already have an Arbor Day event,” said Arcario, adding that the area towns of Pawling and Millbrook have achieved Tree City designation.