150 Trees Planted for Arbor Day in Franklin

The Franklin Township Shade Tree planted 150 trees donated by the New Jersey Tree Foundation in celebration of Arbor Day on Saturday, April 26th. Under incredible blue skies, work began at 9 am as everyone helped to pot up 100 of the trees at the South Middlebush Tree Farm. These trees will be maintained in the field for 2-3 years until they are larger and then planted in local parks and open space.

From there, the members and the Girl Scouts from Troop 880 traveled to Delar Park in Franklin Park, where an additional 38 trees were planted. These included, white pines tulip poplars and sweetgum trees, including a large sweetgum donated by Central Jersey Nurseries in Hillsborough.

The convoy, including a truck carrying mulch and water donated by the South Middlebush Tree Farm and a truck carrying trees and equipment from Franklin Township's Public works department, stopped to replenish its water supply at Baumley's Nursery before continuing on to Flemer preserve to plant tulip poplars.

After a lunch break at Mario's Pizza in Somerset it was off to East Millstone Park to plant more sweetgum and oak trees. By late afternoon the work was finished, volunteers dispersed to enjoy the rest of the day and the trees gratefully received more water courtesy of yesterday's downpour. Shade Tree Commission members will continue to care for and follow the progress of the trees as they grow, eventually joined by others to be planted in future Arbor day celebrations.

Michael J. Orsini
Chair, Franklin Township Shade Tree Commission

Contact: 732-568-0368 (H)
908-704-4355 (W)
e-mail: morsini@prius.jnj.com