BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. It’s a saying that applies a lot here in western New York.
There is currently a growing movement to plant new trees in the ground.
Some people feel depressed when trees are cut down in certain areas of the city.
“It’s definitely a little frustrating,” said Matthew Downey, who loves spending time at LaSalle Park.
LaSalle is being remodeled as Ralph Wilson Park.
where is my tree
LaSalle’s trees have fallen for construction, but yours may have been cut down for a number of reasons as well.
If you live in Elmwood Village, a nasty bug will remove most of your ash trees.
“Ash trees are eaten up by tiny bugs called ash,” said Paul Maurer, president of ReTree WNY.
Then there are the older trees too, the silver maples planted in the 60’s and 70’s these days can’t even survive the WNY winters.
Winter damages most trees, but the 2022 blizzard and six feet of snow didn’t help.
When will my tree come back?
The City of Buffalo’s 311 request line tracks tree requests and can be made here.
ReTree works with the city to meet these demands.
“We just look for areas that need to be planted. We work closely with the city to tell us what kind of tree species to plant in a particular place. We will replace it with one in better condition,” he said. Maurer.
Maurer has become a bit of an expert on trees over the last 17 years.
ReTree began as an effort to restore thousands of trees after the October 2006 storm, also known as “The Night the Trees Died”.
They met that goal and have been making progress ever since. They recently moved into Elmwood Avenue and planted a new tree outside Futures Academy in East Buffalo.
“Improving the appearance of a neighborhood can only make it a better neighborhood, softening the look of the street and adding value to the homes in the neighborhood,” Maurer said.
They grow all summer long, and in the fall the shovels return to the ground to attack these areas.
- Poplar Avenue
- bank street
- first ward
- niagara street
- north buffalo
Want to help plant? Click here for more information.
