Re-Tree offers trees for volunteer plantings in Buffalo

Limited number of trees for neighborhood clubs or organizations offered by Buffalo Green Fund’s Re-Tree

The organization that has coordinated volunteer plantings in Western New York due to the catastrophic snowstorm on Oct. 12, 2006, is still at it and has scheduled a Nov. 4 planting.

It is asking any community organization that has a need for trees in a neighborhood to reach out to Re-Tree with a tree request.

“We are looking for groups that have an interest in greening-up their streetscape to apply for a limited number of bare-root trees that we will procure for them,” said Paul D. Maurer, chairman of Re-Tree, a program of the Buffalo Green Fund.

Approximately 12-15 trees can be allocated for each project that is approved by Re-Tree and permitted by the City of Buffalo. The project must be on public rights-of-way, typically between the sidewalk and the street.

To apply, the block club or organization is asked to identify locations in their neighborhood that lack trees; and verify that the homeowner will welcome the tree and provide for its survival by watering it for the first few years to get it established.

This is the link to apply: https://www.buffalogreenfund.org/tree-requests-from-re-tree.

The organization will also be required to have at least one representative attend a tree-planting workshop that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, at a TBD location. The training will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Tree species will be determined by the City of Buffalo Forestry Department, but requests will be taken into consideration.

Each organization that applies will be required to transport the trees, stakes, and ties from a central distribution point on Friday, Nov. 3.

The deadline to apply for the fall planting is Sept. 1.

Donations are still sought by the group. For more information on the program, log onto www.Re-TreeWNY.org or www.BuffaloGreenFund.org; or contact Maurer at 716-553-4061.