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Arborist gives Canton village board forestry plan

Posted 5/14/22

BY PAUL MITCHELL North Country This Week CANTON – The Village of Canton’s 859 trees have been under the watchful eye of a certified arborist. Some trees have to go, others need treatment. Plans …

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Arborist gives Canton village board forestry plan

Posted

BY PAUL MITCHELL

North Country This Week

CANTON – The Village of Canton’s 859 trees have been under the watchful eye of a certified arborist. Some trees have to go, others need treatment. Plans for tree plantings will be made.

These were the words of Miguel Berrios of Land Beyond the Sea, an ecological design firm based in Brooktondale, N.Y., at a presentation via Zoom held Thursday night.

Berrios’ firm was hired to formulate a Community Forest Management Plan made possible with the help of a $14,000 grant from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Lands and Forests.

The thrust of the comprehensive plan, as described by Berrios, focuses on Canton’s vision as a community of people and their homes, stores, and other structures and spaces within a forest of trees. 

This forest is made up of trees along streets, roads and highways, in parks and other public spaces, and around buildings and structures. This forest is diverse and provides benefits to the people who live, work or visit here, the arborist said. This forest also protects the land and water, purifies the air, and provides habitat for birds and other wildlife, stated Berrios. 

High priority was given to Bend in the River Park and the Route 11 eastern gateway.

“A goal will be to plant 20 trees per year to add to the urban first tree composition,” said Berrios. “You need to avoid planting undesirables and/or invasive tree species and varieties, and place appropriate trees in appropriate places.”

“A tree may not be good for a parking setting but may be appropriate for a street setting,” he continued. “With budget constraints, it is important to plant the right trees in the right places.” 

The underlying purpose of our Community Forest Management Plan will be to guide our decision-making toward the best practices for the conservation and maintenance of existing trees and planting new trees that will enhance this forest and our community, the plan reads.

Berrios recommended that the tree work and tree planting be supervised by the Village’s Tree Committee, with as much in-kind work handled by the village’s Department of Public Works. Berrios also said it would be beneficial to train someone to have arborist credentials.

In terms of the village’s future for a healthy Community Forest, Berrios advised village officials to raise awareness, educate the public and engage with property owners, local businesses, developers and the design community.

A copy of the plan can be viewed at https://cantonny.gov/village-of-canton-completes-community-forest-manage....