The Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards are working with the Charlottesville Tree Commission, VDOT, Albemarle County, Monticello, and Piedmont Community College to plant trees in the median of Route 20 between the City Limits and Route 53, roughly 80 total, over the next 2-3 years.Tree Commissioner Paul Josey and Charlottesville Planning Commissioner Jody Lahendro shoulder a swamp white oak across Moores Creek. Landscape Architect Paul Josey is the person who created and fought for this project. Lahendro has advocated for an increase in CIP outlays to plant trees in the City.The first phase is entirely funded by the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards, and trees are being purchased from Bremo nursery, which is donating one of the Swamp White Oaks.Working in the median is challenging.These trees will help to retain rainwater, create habitat and food for birds, clean the air, and improve the scenery along this roadway.To become a tree steward, you must first complete the training class. The class is a 10-week course consisting of lectures on a variety of topics as well as several field trips with information on tree identification and pruning techniques.
“There is an update in the tree canopy survey currently going on, it started about six weeks ago. The survey’s preliminary assessment indicates that there has been a loss of about 1.4% of the City’s canopy trees compared to the last survey done six years ago in 2009. The study should be completed by the end of this year and hopefully there will be an analysis of where the trees have been lost.” 11/10/15 Commissioner Jody Lahendro
Meanwhile, the draft capital budget for Charlottesville shows $25,000 a year for urban tree planting. Not enough to secure shade for pedestrians along the 156 miles of streets in our City. This time of year is a great time to plant trees. Call Miss Utility, plant a tree next to the road in front of where you live. It is not hard to do. 151110 jodi lahendro