Plenty of neighboring cities and towns have Shade Tree Commissions to help with the following:
The Shade Tree Commission would be a non-profit organization, commissioned by the Mayor's office with the task of restoring and maintaining the city's tree population. Trees in the city provide beauty and utility.
- Reducing tree loss during development
- Reducing damage to standing trees during construction
- Providing for replacement of trees lost during construction
- Providing for planting trees where none occurred previously
- Providing for the maintenance of preserved trees after construction is completed
- Maintaining the health of trees in our parks, right of ways and urban areas;
- Increasing public education and support for urban forestry
- Generating funds from the foundation community, the corporate community, the citizens of Hackensack and the private sector to support urban forestry.
The reason I ask, many city blocks are naked with no tree replacement. Trees providing shade and charm on a neighborhood block increases everyone's property value. Most cities now plant flowering pear trees that are deep rooted to avoid having costly sidewalk repairs in the future.
Also, the young trees in front of the Lakeshore Learning Store on Essex St have recently been re-mulched. Whoever did this task - couldn't they tell one of the trees has been dead for some time? I think a tree that hasn't bloomed leaves like the rest of them would be an obvious clue. Maybe the person thought the fresh mulch would bring the tree back.
Would having a Shade Tree Commission be a hinderance or a welcomed source of help to the DPW?