Politics & Government
Huntington to Count the Trees
Inventory to assess trees, look for future planting sites.
Huntington will soon launch an inventory of trees in its 60 parks, with an eye on spotting problems and finding future planting sites.
The town will hire a consultant to use a GPS system to locate, identify the species, record the health and height of all trees. That information will be used to recommend the number and type of trees to be planted in each location. The results will be maintained in a database and coordinated with the Town’s geographic information system.
The inventory will allow the town to identify any hazardous situations including unsafe trees, diseased trees or trees that are infested with harmful insects. It will also enable the Town to increase the diversity and coverage of its forest canopy, which in turn will help reduce runoff and erosion, filter contaminants, improve air quality and cool air temperature.
“This is a very exciting initiative, especially post-Superstorm Sandy,” Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said. “These parks are the most actively used and we need to make sure that the trees there are healthy and vigorous and to ensure that they receive the best care so we can maintain public safety. The inventory will also enable us to identify locations where new trees can be planted to enhance the parks’ aesthetics and environmental benefits.”
The town will hire a consultant to use a GPS system to locate, identify the species, record the health and height of all trees. That information will be used to recommend the number and type of trees to be planted in each location. The results will be maintained in a database and coordinated with the Town’s geographic information system.
The inventory will allow the town to identify any hazardous situations including unsafe trees, diseased trees or trees that are infested with harmful insects. It will also enable the Town to increase the diversity and coverage of its forest canopy, which in turn will help reduce runoff and erosion, filter contaminants, improve air quality and cool air temperature.
“This is a very exciting initiative, especially post-Superstorm Sandy,” Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said. “These parks are the most actively used and we need to make sure that the trees there are healthy and vigorous and to ensure that they receive the best care so we can maintain public safety. The inventory will also enable us to identify locations where new trees can be planted to enhance the parks’ aesthetics and environmental benefits.”
The consultant remains to be chosen. The project will cost $50,000, divided equally between a New York State Urban and Community Forestry Grant and Town EOSPA funds. The project is to be completed in 18 months.
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