Townscape wants to replant trees damaged by storm

MILLERTON — Last week’s October snowstorm destroyed about 20 percent of the village’s trees on Main Street. “If you drove through the village on Sunday or Monday it looked horrendous,” said Millerton Mayor John Scutieri. “Many trees on Main Street were damaged to the point where they have to be removed.”Townscape, the volunteer community enhancement group that prides itself on bettering the town and village, is prepared to do something about it.“We are now wanting very much to focus on the trees, and all the tree damage that happened as a result of the storm,” said Townscape President Chris Kennan, adding it only makes sense to save the trees that still look decent.Of the 30 or so trees lining Main Street in Millerton about six were lost or will need to be removed. There are also more on Century Boulevard, one near the Rail Trail Gazebo and a couple in Veterans Park across from The Moviehouse, according to Kennan.Many of the trees that were knocked down in the storm were originally planted by Townscape, or recommended by the group to be planted by the town or village. Now Townscape is figuring out what to replace in their stead. A number of the downed trees were Bartlett pear trees, which, Kennan said he’s now finding out, are notorious for being weak in the face of ice, wind and snow.“They split easily and are not ideal for our climate,” he said. “There are other varieties that might be better. It’s something we’re going to be focusing on in the weeks ahead.”The group’s efforts are not for naught. Trees are important because they impact one’s quality of life, the mayor said. “They’re important because trees just make everybody happier,” Scutieri said. “And they’re good-looking buffers to buildings and utility poles and lines. For the most part I think the majority of people like the look of trees on Main Street.”Townscape will be fundraising to help pay for tree replacements; as the group is a 501(C)3 nonprofit all donations will be tax deductible. To send donations to Townscape mail them to Townscape, PO Box 835, Millerton, NY 12546. Any and all contributions will be welcome, its president said.

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