Friends of Brook Park has been awarded a “Greening the Bronx” grant by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

This funding is targeted for planting approximately 52 new street trees in Port Morris and/or Mott Haven. So far, FoBP has received enough of the grant money to plant the first 17 trees — they are scheduled to go into the ground at the end of the 3rd week of May, 2010. We look forward to planting more of the trees sometime during the Fall planting season (Oct. 15 to Dec. 15).

We wish to thank Bronx Forester Gerard Friedler, whose shared his invaluable experience planting trees in Mott Haven and Port Morris for the NYC Parks Dept. with us . Likewise, thanks to Bronx Foresters John Pywell and Erin Duffy who met with us, and aided us by sharing planting maps and suggestions.

With the guidance of this experienced team of professionals, we are ready to welcome the trees! Now, here’s where YOU come in….

As part of this opportunity, our community will help the tree contractor maintain them for 2 years. FoBP VOLUNTEERS ARE welcome to check on the trees about once a week or once every two weeks, especially during the hot, summer months.
For each tree, Volunteers can:
– Remove trash from the tree pit and the Treegator watering bag around the trunk of the tree
– Pull weeds out of the tree pit
– Loosen the top inch of soil if necessary, to alleviate compaction and help water and air reach the roots
– Inspect for signs of disease
– Water the tree
– Keep simple records of which trees have been maintained, and when.

FoBP thanks NYSERDA for these wonderful trees, and for the opportunity to foster tree stewardship in our local community! Thanks to all the volunteers that are signed up, we welcome you to be invovled too!

Carol Zakaluk is guiding this unique effort. Email Carol