Ridgefield Tree Committee

 

Mission The Ridgefield Town Tree Committee's mission is to encourage the town to commit community effort and resources to preserving and improving our trees and greenscape. Our goal is to establish and maintain an optimum, stable, and safe public tree and plant environment, thereby enhancing Ridgefield's historic character: esthetic, natural, and economic.

About the Tree Committee The Tree Committee, now consisting of seven volunteer citizens, was established in 1996, when the Ridgefield Tree Ordinance was first approved by the Board of Selectman. The committee works with the Tree Warden in an advisory capacity. The Committee has actively sought to expand its knowledge about trees, to use that knowledge in supporting the Tree Warden, and to share that knowledge with the community. Reviewing the planting plans for public construction projects, solving tree issues that arise, and presenting educational programs are some of the Committee's activities. Additionally, the Committee published a Forestry Management Plan in the fall of 2003, which provides important information about the standards and practices that are essential to maintaining and enhancing the town's impressive trees and shrubs. The Forestry Management plan is accessible through this website. A notable tree program is maintained by the committee and a booklet was published in July, 2004, describing town trees officially designated "Notable Trees" by the Connecticut Botanical Society, as well as those named locally by the committee. Information about the Notable Tree booklet is also accessible through this website.

Current members and how to contact the Tree Committee Anyone wishing to communicate with the Ridgefield Tree Committee or the Tree Warden can write to the committee at Town Hall, 400 Main Street, or can call the warden's office at: 203-431-2358. Tree Warden: John Pinchbeck     Tree Committee:   David Andry Will Molyneux, Chairman Nancy Boersma Tom Venus Joseph Eltz Vicki Yolen Priscilla Holmes

Forestry Management Plan Ridgefield’s Forestry Management Plan, revised and published by the Tree Committee in the fall of 2003, gives important information about the standards and practices that are essential to maintaining and enhancing the town’s impressive trees and shrubs and provides a resource for all who are committed to maintaining the historic legacy of Ridgefield’s “noble trees.”. A complete copy of the Plan can be downloaded by clicking here. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required – 216 KB)

Notable Trees Click here, or on the Notable Trees logo for a glimpse of what is contained in this wonderful booklet. Notable Tree Nomination Form   Notable Trees are trees determined by the Tree Warden and the Tree Committee to be of great age or rarity, associated with an historical event or person, or of tangible value to the community for their scenic enrichment of the area and/or ability to survive a specific disease. Trees designated “Notable Trees” may receive special treatment to prolong their life. Residents may submit their nominations for notable trees to the Tree Warden on this downloadabe form (Adobe Acrobat Reader required – 12 KB), accompanied by a photograph or sketch of the tree, if possible.