Learn How to Restore Sandy-Battered Treescape at Library Program

Superstorm Sandy was too much even for healthy trees that had survived previous storms for more than 100 years.

To address concerns of residents on how to wisely restore the natural beauty of their landscape and take advantage of opportunities arising from the devastation, the Bernardsville Shade Tree Committee is partnering with the Bernardsville Public Library to present a program at 7 p.m. Thursday.

A panel of experts will address topics such as preferred planting techniques, what species to plant and what invasives to avoid, protecting native saplings and a new generation of forest understory from deer over-browsing, post-planting maintenance, tree stumps, and the importance of proper planning to avoid unnecessary expense.

Questions from residents will be encouraged at the end of the program.

Program is free, but sign-up requested

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested.
 
Scheduled panelists include Michael Anderson, Sanctuary Director of New Jersey Audubon in Bernardsville; Nicholas Polanin, County Agricultural Agent for the northern Somerse area; and Dennis Galway, forestry professional on the Bernardsville Shade Tree Committee.
 
Anderson will open the program with a brief slide presentation highlighting the challenges and opportunities to the area's environment and trees after the impact of Superstorm Sandy.

As Sanctuary Director of the Scherman Hoffman Center in Bernardsville, Anderson is dedicated to fostering an environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among New Jersey's citizens and to promote the protection and preservation of New Jersey's valuable natural habitats, according to information from the library.
 
Polanin will follow with slides pertinent to forestry best practices for the Bernardsville community. A Somerset County Agricultural Agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Polanin has been nationally recognized for his leadership and educational initiatives in training arborists and other tree care professionals, green industry workforce development programs, distance education for consumer and commercial audiences, and volunteer management.

Polanin's special areas of expertise include urban and community forestry, street tree management, integrated pest management, and shade tree management.
 
Finally, Galway will answer questions from the audience members about their individual landscape or tree concerns. Galway is an advocate of purchasing land for preservation and focuses on the vital importance of managing these resources for the near future to maintain rare and unique habitat and to protect threatened, endangered plant and animal species, according to the library.

Register online at at the Bernardsville Library website and follow the link from adult programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.