2016 Spring Tree Grant Application Now Available

Photo: On September 26, 2015, the RNeighborWoods team helped the Pine Summit Neighbors plant 25 trees as winners of the fall Neighborhood Tree Grant. Types included Gingko, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Catalpa, and American Linden.

Trees make good neighbors.

Since its creation in 2004, RNeighborWoods has organized 5,561 volunteers to plant 6,269 trees on Rochester boulevards. These trees provide multiple ecological and other public benefits including reducing Rochester’s carbon footprint. Once again the City of Rochester, RPU and RNeighbors is offering a grant for a winning neighborhood to receive 25 free boulevard trees.

Announcing the RNeighborWoods Tree Grant!

Twenty-five trees will all be awarded to a neighborhood that wants to pitch in and help get the trees in the ground! You can read about the success of last fall’s neighborhood grant recipients.

Now tell us your story and make a case for why your neighborhood is deserving of this leafy grant. Eligible neighborhoods must be either a registered Neighborhood Association in Rochester or willing to hear about the benefits of organizing into an Association.

Applications can be filled out online and will be accepted through Wednesday, February 18, at 5 pm.

Neighborhoods will need to work with their neighbors to determine appropriate tree locations with final approval from City Forestry.

Click here for a document that can help you in organizing your neighborhood for the Neighborhood Tree Grant.

Tree varieties available have been selected by the City Forestry Department, and include Ginkgo, Disease Resistant Elms, Kentucky Coffeetree, Amur Maackia, and others. For spaces under power lines, the appropriate variety will be chosen that will not need to be cut back.

Each application must ensure:

• At least 30 neighbors and one Citizen Forester will be available to help with the planting. RNeighborWoods will oversee the planting.
• There must be a core planning group of four neighbors who commit to taking an active role in the planting planning.
• Once the grant is received the core planning group from each neighborhood will work with neighbors to determine locations for each tree.
• The core planning group will meet with some of the RNeighborWoods team to go over steps needed for the planting.
• Planting date must take place on Saturday, April 23 (rain or shine).
• Neighbors will commit to watering the trees for three full years.
• Boulevard tree recipients must understand that there are times when trees do not survive. There will not be replacement trees for trees that die. The Park and Recreation Forestry department is responsible for all maintenance and removal after the trees are planted. Keep in mind some tree types can take several years to establish and begin to grow.

The purpose of the RNeighborWoods Tree grant is to encourage the planting of trees on neighborhood boulevards. RNeighborWoods recognizes the importance and value of trees in Rochester neighborhoods. Trees provide numerous environmental benefits such as lower crime, cleaner air, energy savings, more public revenue, higher property values, and more efficient stormwater management.

The RNeighborWoods committee will evaluate applications and make decisions at a meeting. Winners will be communicated with by Friday, February 26, 2016. Fill out your application today!

Check out RNeighbors on Facebook and see fun photos from past tree planting activities.

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