Arbor Day To Be Commemorated At Hageman Farm

Arbor Day will be commemorated with a special event at the Hageman Farm.

Submitted by Sara Malone, Chair of the Shade Tree Commission.

Arbor Day will be commemorated this year in the township with a ceremonial tree planting and the giving away of 500 tree seedlings, courtesy of the Franklin Township Shade Tree Commission.

The commission, in conjunction with the Meadows Foundation and local Boy and Girl Scout troops, will host an Arbor Day Event from 10 a.m. to noon April 29 at the Hageman Farm, 209 South Middlebush Rd.

The seedling distribution is part of the New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign to help re-green communities hit by Super-storm Sandy.

At the April 29th Arbor Day event, local Scouts will help plant four species of trees at the Hageman Farm as well as to hand out the free tree seedlings to Township residents. The seedlings are bare root and range in size from 6 to 24 inches in height, depending on the species. The seedlings are free and will be distributed in bundles of five on a first-come-first-served basis as long as supplies last.

Tree planting guidelines are available on the Shade Tree Commission’s Resources Page at www.franklintwpnj.org/shadetree. Residents are also reminded that free mulch is available through the Township’s Department of Public Works.

As co-hosts of the event, the Meadows Foundation, caretakers of four of Franklin Township’s historic properties, will offer informal tours of the Hageman House and Barns during the Arbor Day event.

Franklin Township is proudly entering its 16th year as a Tree City USA community joining more than 3,400 communities nationwide that have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA.  To achieve Tree City status, communities must meet four standards of sound urban forestry management.  They must maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on community forestry, and celebrate Arbor Day.

Trees reduce heating and cooling costs, moderate temperatures, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen, help manage stormwater, promote a healthy environment, provide habitat for wildlife, add value to our homes and enhance the appearance of neighborhoods, parks and communities.

For further information about the Arbor Day Event or activities of the Shade Tree Commission, contact Sara Malone at sarajmalone56@gmail.com.

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