Category: News

By Kate Dzikiewicz

There is growing awareness in Connecticut of the damage caused by invasive plants, yet many homeowners, landscapers, and gardeners remain unaware of the serious threat posed by English ivy. Long valued as a low-maintenance and attractive ground cover, English ivy grows quickly, thrives in a wide range of conditions, stays green through winter, and adds a sense of elegance to landscapes. Ironically, these same traits make it especially destructive when left unchecked.

Like other ivies, English ivy is a vigorous climber. Its vine roots secrete a glue-like substance that allows it to cling tightly to bricks, stone, trees, and other surfaces. On buildings, ivy traps moisture, loosens masonry, and accelerates structural decay. However, on trees the harm can be far worse.

Unlike native vines like poison ivy, which typically coexist with trees, English ivy can overwhelm trees in yards or natural spaces. It forms thick woody stems that can reach a foot in diameter. The added weight from English ivy vines dramatically increases the risk of lost branches during snow or storm events. As it climbs, the ivy shades out leaves, causing branches to die and decreasing the tree’s overall health and vitality. Property owners may first notice dieback in lower branches, but over time, the entire canopy can be compromised.

This decline often goes unnoticed because it happens slowly, sometimes over many years. By the time the damage is obvious, the tree may already be beyond saving. This is why it is critical to intervene early. When ivy is just beginning to spread on the ground or at the base of a tree, it can be pulled by hand. Once vines have adhered to bark, however, more care is needed. Pulling vines that are strongly attached will damage the bark of a tree and can increase the risk of infection.

The safest method for removing English ivy from trees, especially larger vines, is to cut the stem close to the ground. Then, make a second cut six to twelve inches higher and remove that section of vine. Growth above this point will die and eventually fall away naturally. Applying herbicide to the rooted stem can provide extra assurance that the ivy will not resprout. Though dying ivy clinging to a tree may be unsightly for a season, it is the best way to ensure the tree’s long-term survival.

Because birds eat English ivy berries and spread the seeds through their droppings, it can appear even where it has never been planted. For this reason, it’s wise to regularly check your yard, garden, or nearby woodland for its telltale vines. In Fairfield County, several local organizations actively cut back ivy in parks and forests to protect our community trees.

Although English ivy is still legal to purchase in Connecticut, we strongly recommend homeowners and businesses choose alternatives. Many beautiful, low-maintenance ground covers exist that provide the same lush look without threatening the health of trees or the integrity of buildings. English ivy may be traditional, but it comes at too high a cost.

Kate Dzikiewicz
Executive Director, Tree Conservancy

By Kate Dzikiewicz

This summer, the Greenwich Tree Conservancy, in partnership with the Town of Greenwich, added new trees to municipal parking lots, Eugene Morlot Memorial Park, and the Byram neighborhood to help reduce the urban heat island effect and improve canopy coverage. Parking lots in particular benefit from trees, which cool pavement, shade parked cars, and enhance appearance. Plantings took place in the Henry Street, Bruce, and East Elm lots, with more sites planned for the autumn planting season.

In Byram, where dense development and limited tree cover increase heat impacts, new trees will bring much-needed shade and improved air quality. Several ailing trees from last year’s Putnam Avenue Beautification Project planting were also replaced.

Species were selected by Superintendent of Parks & Trees and Tree Warden Dr. Greg Kramer, with priority given to native shade trees that would remain healthy under harsh near-street conditions.

The Greenwich Tree Conservancy looks forward to focusing on planting trees at schools during the autumn planting season.

Residents interested in additional street trees near their homes or businesses are encouraged to contact the Greenwich Tree Conservancy.

View article on the Greenwich Free Press here.

By Kate Dzikiewicz

After a cool and rainy spring, the heat of summer has finally arrived in Greenwich. Longtime residents may have noticed summers gradually getting warmer over the past few decades, and heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense. To keep comfortable, we crank up the air conditioners, but trees offer a powerful and natural way to fight the heat.

As the Town of Greenwich continues to develop and expand, the region loses tree cover, especially in urban areas. This contributes to the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon which describes how urban neighborhoods are often significantly warmer than nearby rural areas. Many factors contribute to this effect, especially dense concentrations of impermeable pavement and buildings built from materials like concrete and asphalt. These manmade materials retain and radiate a lot more heat than soil or sand. Limited green space and lack of shade only make matters worse for urban residents.

According to the EPA, urban areas can be 18–27°F warmer than nearby undeveloped spaces. This temperature spike does more than just increase energy use during warm months; it also worsens air pollution and raises the risk of heat related illnesses and deaths. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with health conditions, are especially at risk, but high heat affects everyone, lowering productivity and quality of life.

While any greenery helps cool an area, trees are the most effective. Their leaves and branches block up to 90% of sunlight before it reaches the ground. Rather than being retained as heat, this solar energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars via photosynthesis. Buildings shaded by trees can see surface temperature reductions of 20–40°F, and parked cars under tree cover can be up to 45°F cooler. No wonder shaded parking spots are always in high demand!

Trees have another less visible way that they cool the air. They absorb water through their roots and release it from their leaves as water vapor in a process called evapotranspiration. Evaporation draws heat from the environment, making trees living evaporative cooling systems. A single mature oak tree can release up to 40,000 gallons of water into the air each year, and a tree-lined street multiplies these benefits.

Any sort of planted green space will help reduce heat in a neighborhood, but large mature trees have the greatest cooling impact. This is why the Greenwich Tree Conservancy advocates retaining these large mature trees whenever possible. It can take decades for young trees to reach the size and impact of their mature counterparts, and removing a single large tree from your property can make for a big decline in your comfort during the summer.

If you want to help keep your home or business cooler and contribute to a healthier community, consider planting more trees and protecting the ones already in place. Trees placed on the west and southwest sides of buildings are especially effective at reducing afternoon heat. Just be sure to choose species suited to our local climate and urban conditions.

Trees are important in every season, but in summer we have even more reasons to appreciate them!

Kate Dzikiewicz
Executive Director, Greenwich Tree Conservancy

Read the story here

Greenwich Sentinel

By  Cheryl Dunson

The Greenwich Town Arboretum is internationally accredited by ArbNet, the sole body which awards accreditation to arboreta worldwide. The Greenwich Tree Conservancy (GTC), in partnership with the Greenwich Department of Parks and Recreation, submitted a successful application and our arboretum was established in 2016. Criteria for accreditation include: a governance group, 100+ labelled tree species, and educational programming. If you visit the ArbNet website, you will see the Greenwich Town Arboretum listed among arboreta from around the world, including Kew Gardens in London. To see our listing and learn about other arboreta visit: https://arbnet.org/morton-register/accredited-arboreta/all

A 2009 Historic Parks of Greenwich report commissioned by the Greenwich Division of Parks and Trees served as the guide for the establishment of the Greenwich Town Arboretum. The report provided a wealth of background information about our four historic parks which “launched” the Arboretum: Bruce Park, Byram Park, Binney Park and the Montgomery Pinetum.

Bruce Park, approximately 60 acres, is Greenwich’s oldest public park. It was established in 1908 through a bequest of Robert Bruce. In 1930, the Town paid for a survey and development plan for Bruce Park which is located on the south side of I95. Significant trees identified at that time included beech, maple, ash, cherry, dogwood and sycamore. Today, the oaks and sweetgums are particularly striking.

Byram Park, in southwest Greenwich, was established in 1919. It is approximately 30 acres and fronts Long Island Sound. The original acreage was a former granite quarry and the exposed granite cavities remain clearly visible today. In 1975, 10 acres were added to the east end of the park, part of a private estate then known as “The Anchorage.” Many mature deciduous and coniferous trees are part of Byram Park’s original section near the entry gate and near the playground. These mature species include oaks, tulip trees, and sugar maples.

The land for Binney Park in Old Greenwich was purchased by Edwin Binney in 1927 with the intent to deed it to the town exclusively for recreation and park uses. The design and construction of the park took over 4 years. It is interesting to note that James A.G. Davey of Davey Tree Company was Binney’s son-in-law and advised on the design of the park. Among other elements, the plan called for the planting of many trees and the creation of two small “lakes.” In 1933, Binney Park was dedicated. Tree species included pin oak, red maple, paper birch, tupelo, dogwood, hawthorn, and American ash.

The Montgomery Pinetum in Cos Cob is approximately 100 acres and is adjacent to the Pomerance and Tuchman town-owned properties. Colonel Robert Montgomery purchased the property known as “Wild Acres” in 1922. He and his wife developed the property adding gardens, paths and buildings including a high-ceilinged greenhouse for fruit tree propagation. Col. Montgomery established the Pinetum in 1930. He planted abundantly and eventually acquired over 850 coniferous species.

In 1945, he gifted his 200 best specimens to the New York Botanical Garden. After Col. Montgomery’s death in 1952, his wife approached the Town about donating the property with restrictions that it be used for walking trails, horticulture and the arts. The Town voted to accept the gift in 1953. Some conifer specimens planted under Col. Montgomery’s direction remain today along with many species of ornamental shrubs and trees.

Since the launch of the Greenwich Town Arboretum, the GTC has planted and labelled trees in our four historic parks and expanded to other areas like Greenwich Point, Cos Cob Park, school properties, neighborhood centers, and town-owned parking lots. Greenwich is unusual because our arboretum is truly town-wide. To date, we have labelled over 1350 trees! Residents can help us maintain tree labels in good condition. Whether due to storms, aging or occasional vandalism, sometimes labels come loose from a tree. We would appreciate the public’s help in notifying us via email at Arboretum@ GreenwichTreeConservancy.com if they see a label that is damaged, dangling, or missing.

The Greenwich Tree Conservancy’s mission includes helping to preserve our Town Arboretum as a living museum of trees and as a treasured community asset for current and future generations. The Arboretum collections include both specimens from native ecosystems and species representing botanical diversity from around the world. The GTC works to promote a deeper knowledge of trees through public events, educational programs, and through research. We are only able to do this work through the generous support of residents.

To find out more about the Greenwich Town Arboretum, our programming and more, visit us at www.greenwichtreeconservancy.org

Cheryl Dunson, Greenwich Tree Conservancy Advisory Board Co-Chair

Read the story here

Greenwich Sentinel