Branch Out Wolfeboro campaign to maintain and plant trees

WOLFEBORO — A campaign is taking root to sustain, maintain and strategically replant trees on Wolfeboro town property. Branch Out Wolfeboro, a subcommittee of the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission, will lead a drive to raise donations to defray the town’s high costs of tree maintenance on town property, as well as to replant trees where deemed appropriate.

“With the number of trees the town has had to take down in the past few years due to disease, age or for safety purposes, there are no town funds to keep the vast number of trees healthy; thus our hope that citizens will help keep Wolfeboro green,” said Co-Chair, Brenda Jorett. 

When replanting can happen on a town site, Parks and Recreation department director Christine Collins has been relying on trees donated by several businesses, individuals and the conservation commission around Arbor Day and Earth Day. 

“Planting a new tree on town property costs nearly $3,000 for well-established trees and soils needed,” she said. Add in costs of tree maintenance for new and older trees and she says the tree budget is quickly depleted.

Town Tree Warden Matt Bishop noted how planting trees is an intentional process. 

“Trees have a lifecycle; and in my work with the town and as an arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts, it takes all of us to nurture existing trees and choose proper locations and species of trees for town locations,” he said. 

Bishop and town officials are beginning to map a few town sights where aging or diseased trees may need to be either pruned or removed in the next year or two. Hundreds of trees on town land were lost to the Emerald Ash Borer that spread quickly over a few years; many trees were taken down. Now, the spread of Beech Leaf Disease will impact Wolfeboro’s tree canopy and is expected to impact the tree budget.

The Branch Out Wolfeboro campaign debuts its fundraising and outreach effort at the Parks and Recreation’s 10th Annual Fall Festival Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Foss Field Complex.

Citizens can learn more about trees at the Branch Out Wolfeboro Tree Talk scheduled Monday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Wolfeboro Public Library. Bishop will present information and answer questions about choosing and maintaining trees. Members of the Branch Out Wolfeboro team will detail the campaign and accept donations.

Interested citizens can follow the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission Facebook page where updates on Branch Out Wolfeboro will be posted.

As Branch Out Wolfeboro grows, donors can choose to dedicate a future tree planting on town property. All donations to Branch Out Wolfeboro will be held by the Conservation Commission and presented to the town periodically to fund trees and tree maintenance.

For more information, email BranchOutWolfeboro@gmail.com.