Point Beach Shade Tree Commission Selling Trees

The Point Beach Shade Tree Commission is seling trees until the end of September.

The commission, working in conjunction with the Big and Beautiful Tree Program, is selling trees for $300 to $600. The payments are in the form of tax-deductible donations to the commission.

The exact price depends on the size of the tree. Most trees for sale are 8 to 12 feet tall.

The price also includes delivery and professional planting by R.T. Davies and trees come equipped with a Treegator watering system.

Although the Big and Beautiful Tree Program (BBT) holds plantings in the spring as well as the fall, fall is the ideal time for planting a new tree, according to the commission. Trees are dormant in the autumn and therefore will not go into shock after being replanted.

The commission works with a certified tree expert who has many years of experience in dealing with trees on private property.

“It is critical to entrust your trees with a person/company who is accredited and has plenty of hands-on experience with trees,” says Kitty Stillufsen, commission chairwoman.

“There are so many under-qualified, so-called 'tree experts' who do not know what they are doing when it comes to trees," she said.

"Improper pruning can damage a tree in such a way that it makes it more vulnerable to breaking," she said.

"Also, I have seen many cases where homeowners have been convinced to remove a perfectly healthy tree because a tree company wants the work. It is so important to hire a reputable company.”

 An offshoot of the Environmental Committee, the tree commission was formed three years ago, and has seven mayoral-appointed members.

The Commission’s goal is to protect, foster, and replenish local shade trees.

In order for the commission to quality for and maintain its commission status, members and a public sector employee who works with the commission must undergo additional training, by taking classes or watching demonstrations, in the planting and care of trees.

Hurricane Irene took down some trees and many large branches in Point Beach.

Ironically, one of the required educational units commission members must take focuses on how to identify and remedy hazard trees before a storm brings them down.

It costs money to have public trees evaluated, removed, replanted, have a mason cut the pavers and then equip the trees with gator bags. 

Without the commission, the costs to replace hazard trees would come solely from taxpayer funds. Because of the commission, costs are also offset by grants obtained from Ocean County as well as fundraisers.

Commission members also work to replace many local trees in public areas with ones which are better suited to the geographic region and town and which will withstand storms such as Hurricane Irene. 

Unfortunately, not all of the trees which were planted in public right-of-ways are suited to local climate and geography. 

 “That’s a Bradford Pear tree,” commission member Pete Renner says, gesturing to one lopsided tree on Arnold Avenue.

“Bradford Pears should never have been planted here. They’re nice trees but aren’t good for this area.”

“Also, many of these trees along Arnold Avenue are dying, or will die soon, because of improper pruning,” adds Stillufsen, “and that impacts the town’s residents in terms of taxes.” 

The commission is replacing the Bradford Pear trees currently growing along Arnold Avenue with trees such as Ginko Bilobas.

Ginko’s roots grow straight down rather than spreading out and so will not lift the sidewalk. Ginkos are also drought-resistant, bug-resistant, and have a 100-year lifespan. 

Renner says, “We also planted nine Zelcobas by the bank on Arnold Avenue. Zelcoba trees have a nice vase-like shape, so they don’t obscure merchant signs.”

“We don’t want a monoculture, which means all the same trees,” Renner says.

“We have over 20 different varieties of trees on our list, which were recommended by folks who have masters degrees in this kind of thing," Renner adds. "We’re really trying to get the science right.”

The commission is careful to strategically place the new trees.

For example, the trees the commission will plant will be placed between parking space markers, rather than adjacent to a parking space, so that people opening their car doors not open them into a tree.

“It’s important to put the right tree in the right location,” Stillufsen explains. “We really consider a lot of things when planting these trees.”

“We want to create a treescape,” says Renner. “But as these trees have such a long lifespan, we might not be around to see the fruits of our labor.”

“It’s not like flowers in a basket,” Renner continues. “These trees will be here in 25, 50, 75 years from now and they have extensive root systems.”

“So if you’re into instant gratification, don’t be on a Shade Tree Commission,” Renner finishes with a smile.

For more information on the Shade Tree Commission, go to http://www.pointpleasantbeach.org/bdshadetree.shtml.

To order a shade tree for the fall, log onto Facebook and look up the Point Beach Shade Tree Commission.