TREE COMMITTEE, WILLARD NEIGHBORS

Steve Gray, and Dolores Broberg met in Late October with Dana Anderson to discuss what action the South Portland Tree Fund has experienced since it was instituted over a year ago. Part of the policy for the fund, as passed by City Council, was the provision that Willard Neighbors act in an advisory capacity to the fund. It is a fairly loose arrangement, and requires of us only what we wish to put into it.

Dana reported that the fund received 5 donations since our initial start up on 3/6/06, for a total of $1127. He has spent that down to $400 and intends to keep the fund liquid, at that level, if possible. He told us that in earlier days there was a precourser to the tree fund, but that this one is better.The Parks web page has the informational brochure and application as part of the tree materials. Dana judges it to be excellent and he finds the policy clear and workable. When he has the opportunity, he suggests to people that they give memorial trees.

The total budget for Parks and Recreation is lean, so many more trees are going down than can be replaced. One bright spot is that Community Development funds have provided $5000 for trees to be planted in low income areas of the city. Also, trees will be planted in the pocket park on Pillsbury, at Cottage Road.

Dolores still has some of the printed tree brochures. She will ask at our two South Portland Funeral homes if the tree fund can be one of the suggestions they give to bereaved families who want to establish a memorial for their loved one. If so, she will leave brochures with them.

Plantings on verges (ground between street and sidewalk) was also discussed. If there could not be a tree, flowers and bushes can be planted, instead. Various neighbors have done this already. On main streets, where salt is spread, this could be problematic, but still possible depending on the species chosen. On side streets, salt is not used, so possibilities are wider. Dana set two precautions. Plantings should not be too close together, as good perennial growth tends to spread, over the years. Also, one should be careful which species are chosen, as some bushes, privet hedge, for instance, may come to be a nuisance, growing into street and covering sidewalks. Finally, even pruning may not be enough to keep it in check. Dana suggested that we ask advice from O'Donnells or from Sarah or Marylou during the winter, when they are less busy. As the South Portland Land Trust and Friends of Casco Bay also have an interest in growing things and environmental issues, perhaps we could do something together.

Respectfully submitted,

Dolores Broberg, Tree Committee