Greenwich Tree Conservancy

Cheryl Dunson, GTC advisory board co-chair, recently wrote an article for the Greenwich Sentinel highlighting the many ways trees enrich our lives—not only by providing shade, cleaner air, wildlife habitat, and beauty, but also by becoming part of our community’s memories and history. She shares inspiring stories of treasured trees that have been passed down through generations, helped define a property, or marked important life moments.

The article also invites Greenwich residents to nominate a special tree for the Treasured Trees Contest by August 1. Trees on private property may be nominated for their history, beauty, size, age, unique character, or personal significance, with winning trees recognized at the Treasured Trees Celebration this October.

Read the full story in the Greenwich Sentinel here.

Nearly 30 attendees gathered for our recent Branching Out: Trees in Contemporary Art lecture with art historian Dr. Page Knox, held at the Greenwich Botanical Center, our co-partner for the event. Dr. Knox explored how artists have used trees not only as subjects, but as powerful symbols of resilience, identity, spirituality, hope, and humanity.

From the oak forests that inspired early conservation efforts in France to Vincent van Gogh’s emotional connection with cypress trees and contemporary artists addressing environmental and social issues through tree imagery, attendees discovered how trees have shaped artistic expression across generations. Dr. Knox concluded with the work of David Hockney, whose vibrant paintings celebrate trees as symbols of connection, family, and our relationship with the natural world.

Dr. Knox reminded us that trees can speak about environmental challenges, the passage of time, and the human experience itself.

Read the full Greenwich Sentinel story here.

Our recent article in the Greenwich Sentinel explains the rights and responsibilities of Greenwich residents when utility companies perform tree pruning or removal near power lines.

While utilities have the authority to maintain vegetation within utility protection zones and public rights-of-way to ensure electrical safety, property owners retain important rights when trees are located entirely on private property. Utilities must generally provide advance notice before planned work, and homeowners have the right to ask questions, discuss alternatives, and request that any agreed-upon modifications be documented in writing.

Residents are encouraged to review notices carefully, understand where their trees are located relative to utility easements and rights-of-way, take photographs before work begins, and communicate proactively with utility representatives. Understanding these rights can help protect valuable trees while supporting safe and reliable electric service.

Read the full story in the Greenwich Sentinel here.

Greenwich Sentinel / By Anne W. Semmes / May 1, 2026

Since the year 2007 the Town of Greenwich has been graced with a nonprofit effort to enrich, enhance, and add to its trees and forests, “to benefit our health and quality of life.” So read the invitation to the Greenwich Tree Conservancy’s (GTC) annual “Tree Party” benefit held traditionally at the McArdle’s Greenhouse as of last Friday week. And this year the “Tree Party” fell on Arbor Day!

The theme this year was “Flight of the Forest” with some 180 attending ticket holders bringing with their contributions “more trees in our town and enhancing the habitat that lets local and migrating birds sing.” That promise was fulfilled: “You’ll connect with neighbors, who also want to protect our town’s natural heritage and support the vital work of preserving and enhancing our precious tree canopy.”

Colorfully dressed attendees were happily gathered together and surrounded by an aromatic array of extraordinary flowers as GTC Board President Elizabeth Hopley greeted guests. “Happy Arbor Day everyone, delighted to see you all here! Thank you all so much for coming and supporting the Tree Conservancy.” And she thanked James McArdle “and his wonderful team for this always lovely venue.” Her “huge” thanks included such sponsors as

the Peter Malkins, Dave Williams, and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and wife Cynthia Malkin Blumenthal, Bartlett Tree Experts, Sam Bridge Nursery & Gardens, “and Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors, who generously donated the delicious wines and spirits tonight.”

Read the full story here: https://www.greenwichsentinel.com/2026/05/01/the-greenwich-tree-conservancy-celebrates-its-festive-and-fruitful-tree-party/

By Greenwich Sentinel / Featured Article / April 23, 2026

A group of residents stood beneath a towering Japanese white pine on a recent March afternoon, watching as a small team measured its trunk and canopy with practiced precision. The demonstration, part of the Greenwich Tree Conservancy’s Notable Tree Program, drew attendees to the Greenwich Botanical Center.

The gathering focused on something easy to overlook in daily life: the trees that have stood in place long before the town’s roads, homes, and schools were built. These trees, some of them recognized as the largest of their kind in Connecticut, have become markers of both time and stewardship.

Greenwich is well-represented in the database, with 208 trees total, of which 151 are confirmed to be extant. 32 are champion trees and 12 are co-champions, meaning that they were determined to be the largest examples of their kind found in Connecticut. To find out more about the Connecticut Notable Trees project go to: https://oak.conncoll.edu/notabletrees/

The program maintains a database of significant trees across Connecticut, and Greenwich holds a prominent place within it.

Frank Kaputa, co-chair of the statewide Notable Tree Program, led the presentation alongside team members John Kehoe, Marty Aligata, and Kyle Dougherty. Over the course of an hour, the group outlined how trees are identified, measured, and cataloged, and why the effort has grown into a statewide resource.

Read the full story here:  https://www.greenwichsentinel.com/2026/04/23/our-oldest-trees-draw-crowd-sense-of-stewardship/

By Cheryl Dunson / Greenwich Sentinel

As I write this, it seems that winter’s bitter cold and snowy grip is loosening. Daffodil leaves are pushing through the soil, birdsong can be heard intermittently, and trees are starting to bud. While Greenwich is a beautiful town at all times of year, arguably Greenwich seems at its loveliest in spring with the canopy filled with a lovely array of white, pink, and red flowering trees.

It almost seems miraculous when reflecting on what the trees had to endure this winter. Trees are a marvel in so many ways. It got me thinking about books where trees are a focus that have informed and/or inspired me. And then I wondered about what books may have informed and/or inspired my board and advisory board colleagues at the Greenwich Tree Conservancy. I decided to ask them. Below is an admittedly idiosyncratic list of fiction and non-fiction tree related books that we have enjoyed. We hope you do too!

Read the full article here.

New Canaan Sentinel article by Kate Dzikiewicz

Over the past century, Connecticut’s forests have endured repeated waves of invasive pests and diseases. Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, and other destructive pathogens have wiped out once-dominant tree species, permanently reshaping the composition and character of our woodlands. Today, our forests face another serious threat: Beech leaf disease.

American beech trees are a foundational species in many Connecticut forest ecosystems and among the most common native trees in our region. Their nuts provide a rich source of protein and fat for wildlife, including squirrels, wild turkey, black bears, and numerous bird and small mammal species. In good health, beech trees can live an extraordinary 300-400 years and when grown in open areas such as parks and yards, their trunks may reach two to three feet in diameter. Connecticut is home to several remarkable specimens, including a magnificent beech in Greenwich Common Park off Greenwich Avenue. This tree is part of the Greenwich Tree Conservancy’s town-wide Arboretum. Arboretum Curator Lisa Beebe found that the trunk measures 14.5 feet in circumference, or over four feet in width!

Unfortunately, beeches in our forests, parks, and backyards are now under grave threat. Since its arrival in Connecticut, beech leaf disease has spread rapidly. Without intervention many of the state’s beech trees could be lost in the coming years, but emerging treatments are offering new hope.

Read the full article here.

The Greenwich Tree Conservancy is pleased to announce the election of Elizabeth Hopley as President of its Board of Directors.

Ms Hopley’s involvement with the Greenwich Tree Conservancy began in 2018, when she co-chaired the organization’s annual Tree Party.

She joined the Board in 2022 and has since played an active role in initiatives focused on undergrounding utility wires, tree preservation, and town beautification.

A longtime Greenwich resident and RTM member, Hopley is also deeply engaged in numerous regional and national organizations, bringing broad experience and thoughtful leadership to her new role.

The Tree Conservancy also welcomes three newly elected members to its Board of Directors: Matt Popp, John R. Conte III and Betsy Vitton.

Each brings a distinct and valuable skill set to support the organization’s mission.

Read the full story in the Greenwich Free Press here.

The GTC recently explored a deceptively simple question: what is a tree? While scientists often define a tree as a tall, woody plant with a single trunk, the reality is more complicated. Many plants can grow as shrubs or trees depending on conditions, and some familiar “trees,” like palms, bamboo, and bananas, don’t meet the classic biological definition at all.

The confusion extends to taxonomy. Trees aren’t a single biological group; tree-like forms have evolved many times across different plant families. In fact, a peach tree is more closely related to a rose than to an oak.

For the GTC, however, the answer is more practical. Connecticut’s climate naturally limits what can grow here, leaving us with traditionally woody species that thrive locally. Our focus remains simple: planting and protecting the trees best suited to our environment to help create a Greenwich that is greener, healthier, and more beautiful.

Read the full article in the Greenwich Sentinel to learn more about this complicated question.

The GTC is proud to partner with the Town of Greenwich on the first phase of an ambitious habitat restoration and tree-planting project at Laddin’s Rock Sanctuary in Old Greenwich.

Prior to restoration efforts, large sections of the 18-acre sanctuary—featuring natural forest, walking trails and waterways—had become severely degraded by invasive Japanese knotweed. Greenwich Parks & Trees staff successfully removed the knotweed and will continue to monitor and maintain the area in the coming months.

Following the invasive removal, we planted an initial 70 trees throughout the sanctuary, with additional plantings planned for the spring. The trees include a diverse mix of cold-hardy native species commonly found in Connecticut forests, such as American hornbeam, tulip tree and five species of oak.

Read the full article in the Greenwich Sentinel to learn more about future phases of the project.