Long Valley Gets Greener Thanks To Spring Tree Planting Initiative

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Trees play an important role in urban environments, providing shade during the summer heat, improving air quality and filtering and retaining stormwater.

As part of the Washington Township Shade Tree Committee's tree-planting initiative, 34 trees were planted in the township on Saturday, April 15.

The plantings will help to increase the township's tree canopy, which will help to reduce summer peak temperatures and air pollution.

On Saturday, members of the Shade Tree Committee and other volunteers planted 34 swamp white oak trees along Windswept Way.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the swamp white oak is an excellent choice for a shade or street tree due to its moderate growth rate and lifespan of more than 300 years.

Every year, the township funds these types of plantings for the Shade Tree Committee.

The Shade Tree Committee's role is to provide advice to the township's planning board. The committee's responsibilities include reviewing the plans of proposed development projects, and recommending shade trees for planting and replacing dead trees along township streets.

Free tree seedlings will be made available to Washington Township residents on April 22 as part of the New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign of the New Jersey Forest Service, continuing the expansion of green infrastructure.

Residents will be able to pick up tree seedlings at Rock Spring Park on Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the gazebo closest to the Senior Center. The seedlings will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

To avoid the roots drying out, residents are asked to plant the seedlings within two days of receiving them.

Green infrastructure that is well-planned and managed in a city can help to mitigate some of the negative impacts and social consequences of urbanization. According to township officials, trees improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood or business district, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.