May 3, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Township of Franklin, Somerset County, New Jersey
CONTACT: Michael Orsini, Franklin Township Shade Tree Commission Chair
732-690-7270
e-mail address: orsinimj@comcast.net

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP NAMED TREE CITY USA FOR 10th YEAR
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, New Jersey—May 3rd, 2011—The National Arbor Day Foundation has named Franklin Township a Tree City USA for 2010 in recognition of Franklin’s program to care for community trees. It is the tenth year Franklin Township has received this national recognition.

The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service sponsor the Tree City USA program. Franklin Mayor Brian Levine said, “Franklin Township is proud to have again been designated Tree City USA, and we thank the members of Franklin’s Shade Tree Commission and volunteers for their work in our forestry program. We also want to thank The National Arbor Day Foundation for this recognition.”

To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: having a Commission in existence, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. For this year’s Arbor Day, the Shade Tree Commission planted over 75 trees in parks and municipal open space. The Shade Tree Commission also held its annual tree sale to benefit its ongoing tree planting activities.

“Every year we plant more trees in Franklin’s parks and open space,” said Michael Orsini, chair of the Township’s Shade Tree Commission. He added: “We strongly emphasize public education and a wealth of information is available on the township web site, such as the dangers of over-mulching trees and the best trees to plant in our climate and soil. Our annual tree sale, which is in its third year, has raised public awareness of our mission and introduces the public to new and better species adapted to thrive in central New Jersey.”

“Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature, and bring nature into our daily lives,” said John Rosenow, president of the National Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our towns and cities, and provide many environmental and economical benefits. A community, and its citizens, that recognizes these benefits and provides needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks,” Rosenow added.