Studies show that spending time around trees and looking at trees reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, improves mood and helps you focus. Shown here is one of Madison's landmark trees, a huge White Oak in a resident's yard. Learn how forests make us healthier.
|
|
Caring for Madison's Tree Canopy |
|
By Eugene Cracovia
Chair, Madison Shade Tree Management Board
It takes 20 years for canopy trees (tall, leaf-bearing shade trees) to mature and, even so — it takes 189 small trees to do the job of 1 fully mature canopy tree.
In Madison we lose more canopy trees than we can replace — to disease, age, extreme storms and careless construction. Each loss is a terrible one.
Fortunately many of Madison’s large trees are over 100 years old (including these landmark trees), and they help provide our town with:
- Drinking water filtration
- Prevention of flooding and soil erosion
- Shade and windbreaks that save us money on heating and cooling costs. By carefully positioning trees, you can save 25 to 35 percent in energy consumption per year
- Increased property values (by 10% to 20%, according to the Arbor Day Foundation)
Madison replants damaged or diseased trees on public property, streets and parks at the rate of 125 a year. But property owners also need to do their part to help maintain Madison's tree canopy.
|
|
This Elm tree shown above, on private property on Ridgedale Avenue, is the oldest in New Jersey — possibly the oldest in the United States. It's just starting to leaf out. Photo by Eugene Cracovia. |
|
Treasure and protect your large trees.
Have them checked by a professional arborist on a regular basis. Like your house, trees are an investment and need occasional pruning and maintenance.
Madison has an arborist who will advise you for free! Call the Shade Tree Management Board at 973-593-3088.
|
|
When doing construction, protect your trees by making sure no heavy equipment parks near them and no dirt or heavy waste is piled near them.
Both compact the soil, crushing the root system and killing the tree within a year or so. This protection is required under the Boro's Shade Tree Protection Ordiance (see below).
|
|
If a large canopy trees on your property needs to be removed, please replace it with a native hardwood.
When re-landscaping, there is a tendency to replace lost trees with evergreens for immediate visual pleasure. But evergreens will never provide the environmental benefits of larger canopy trees. Native hardwood trees are a better investment in your property value, too. |
|
Arbor Day Celebration on May 1 |
|
Join us on Saturday, May 1 for a May Day and Arbor Day celebration of Madison's 36th consecutive year as a Tree City U.S.A., and our 14th consecutive year receiving the Tree City Growth Award for demonstrating the highest levels of tree care.
Arbor Day was founded to encourage people to appreciate and plant trees. Consider what native trees you can add to your property! Or volunteer to help plant some at the Madison Recreation Complex (MRC): Call the Shade Tree Management Board at 973-593-3088. |
|
This White Oak at the Madison Public Library is an offspring of the historic "Tuttle Oak. " This thriving descendant was grown from one of the Tuttle Oak acorns by resident Larry Tabor. Its parent tree, which became known as the Tuttle Oak, lived here since the 1700s, on what is now Prospect Street, until 1996 when unfortunately it was felled following an accident. Photo by Eugene Cracovia.
|
|
ABCs of Organic Lawn Care
Presented by Brian Monaghan, Rutgers Master Gardener and Madison Environmental Commission member
Monday, May 3 at 7:30 PM
Via Zoom
Not happy with your lawn? If at least half of your lawn is in good condition, why not renovate the rest for the picture-perfect turf you desire.
Learn the how, when and why of maintaining a healthy lawn without the use of toxic chemicals, plus the correct method of organic lawn care. The selection of the right grass seed for your specific needs and soil conditions plus other lawn care tips will be discussed. Rutgers fact sheets and other handouts will be provided.
Hosted by the Madison Environmental Commission and the Madison Public Library
|
|
Hands-on Workshop:
Learn How to Build a Rainbarrel
Saturday, May 15, 1:30–4:00 PM
Madison Community Arts Center
(10 Kings Rd.)
$30 per barrel
Learn how to capture rainwater from your roof by installing a rain barrel. And then build your own using a 55-gallon food-grade barrel. Tools and fixtures are provide in the $30 registration fee.
Space is limited — we have supplies for 10 barrels. Register by writing to MEC@rosenet.org.
Hosted by AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program and Madison Environmental Commission
|
|
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent events and activities and made them such a success! It is exciting to see such community enthusiasm. A quick update:
- 100+ families signed up for the Chatham-Madison Town-Wide Yard Sale. Listing fees, a $10 donation, raised more than $1,100 for the Great Swamp Watershed Association. Mark your calendar now for our fall Town-Wide Yard Sale, which will be Sepember 25.
- Our multi-town Pollinator Plant Sale, hosted by Great Swamp Watershed Association, sold out TWICE! Pick up of plants in Madison is May 1.
- Our Composter and Rain Barrel Sale with Morris Township was a huge hit, too — we sold 73 compost bins and 14 rain barrels.
- Thanks also to everyone who came out for our Electric Vehicle (EV) Expo, a partnership with the Chathams, and checked out the latest models from 9 auto dealers. Sunday Motor Co. Cafe on Kings Road was the perfect setting. We're planning another for Earth Day 2022.
|
|
|
|
Do you have a friend or neighbor who'd be interested in receiving Madison Environmental Commission's newsletter?
If so, please forward this email and let them know they can sign up here to receive future issues. |
|
Follow us on social media for environmentally-friendly tips, events & more! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
