Restoring Our Tree Landscape After Sandy

Devastation in Bernardsville
 after Superstorm Sandy

Superstorm Sandy was too much for even perfectly healthy trees that had survived previous storms for over 100 years.  To address concerns of residents on how to wisely restore the natural beauty of their landscape and take advantage of opportunities arising from the devastation, the Bernardsville Shade Tree Committee is partnering with the Bernardsville Public Library to present an informative program on Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 pm.  A panel of experts will address topics such as preferred planting techniques, what species to plant and what invasives to avoid, protecting native saplings and a new generation of forest understory from deer over-browsing, post-planting maintenance, tree stumps, and the importance of proper planning to avoid unnecessary expense.  Questions from residents will be encouraged at the end of the program.

Our panelists will be Michael Anderson, Sanctuary Director of New Jersey Audubon in Bernardsville; Nicholas Polanin, County Agricultural Agent for our area; and Dennis Galway, forestry professional on the Bernardsville Shade Tree Committee.

Michael Anderson will open our program with a brief slide presentation highlighting the challenges and opportunities to our environment and trees after the impact of Superstorm Sandy.  As Sanctuary Director of the Scherman Hoffman Center in Bernardsville, Mr. Anderson is dedicated to fostering an environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among New Jersey's citizens and to promote the protection and preservation of New Jersey's valuable natural habitats.

Nicholas Polanin will follow with slides pertinent to forestry best practices for our Bernardsville community.  A County Agricultural Agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Mr. Polanin has been nationally recognized for his leadership and educational initiatives in training arborists and other tree care professionals, Green Industry workforce development programs, distance education for consumer and commercial audiences, and volunteer management.  His special areas of expertise include urban and community forestry, street tree management, Integrated Pest Management, and shade tree management.

Finally, Dennis Galway will answer questions from the audience about their individual landscape/tree concerns.  Mr. Galway advocates purchasing land for preservation and focuses on the vital importance of managing these resources for the near future to maintain rare and unique habitat and to protect threatened, endangered plant and animal species.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested.  Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.