Tree Watertown’s 17th annual fall tree planting project

WATERTOWN, NY — On Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 at 9:00 a.m., volunteers from Tree Watertown, the City of Watertown’s Street Tree Advisory Board, will be conducting their 17 th annual fall tree planting project. The project will involve the planting of 38 bare-root trees at the Cosgrove – Sherman St. Park green space.

The Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded the City of Watertown, a $3,000 grant from the Carolyn Whitney and Walker Tree Funds to pay for the project. The grant will pay for the purchase of the trees and other supplies.

The project will bring together multiple organizations who will be working to help
improve the community. This planting event will further the goals of Tree Watertown by increasing the tree canopy in the City and educating the community about the benefits of planting trees.

In addition to the Northern New York Community Foundation, project partners include the Watertown City School District, Immaculate Heart Central Schools, the City Planning and Community Development Department who has provided technical assistance and grant administration for the project, and the City Department of Public Works who has assisted by preparing the planting site for volunteers. Tree Watertown members and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Staff will lead volunteers in proper tree planting techniques throughout the project. Student volunteers from Watertown City School District and Immaculate Heart Central’s Faith Community Service Program will assist in completing the tree planting.

The annual tree planting event has become a fall tradition and supplements other spring tree planting efforts in the City. Trees planted during any season improve the community’s quality of life, provide beauty and shade for our neighborhoods, schools and parks, help to minimize the effects of storm water runoff and help clean the air by filtering pollution and producing oxygen.

All interested members of the public are invited to participate by joining Tree Watertown at 9:00 a.m. at the Cosgrove – Sherman St. Park green space, located on Cosgrove St. between Butterfield Ave and Iroquois Ave. W.