About the Scottsville Forestry Board
Founded around the principle that Scottsville’s trees, one of the village’s greatest assets, are aging and unsafe, and the canopy is in need of preservation, the Scottsville Forestry Board “manages” village trees on public property.
We are a committee of residents of the Village of Scottsville, with functional and fiduciary responsibilities as a Board and to the Village Board. Our work is that of planning preservation and replacement activities, and advising the Village Board for action. The work of removing and maintaining (pruning) trees is accomplished through contractors or employees of the DPW. The Mayor and the DPW Superintendent are ad hoc members of the Tree Board. We meet monthly and as needed to accomplish our goals.
We’ve been in place for about six years, mostly in the background as we organize and create our vision and mission, ordinances, and a Management Plan. Members include a cross section of village residents; we employ the services of a professional arborist and a DEC Forester, who advises us. Our funding comes from the Village and grants from state and federal sources.
Here is a partial list of the various activities performed by the Tree Board and its members.
• Inventory the trees and their condition on public property to prepare for their succession
• Plan for plantings, pruning, and removals, and track the results of the planning
• Work with village stakeholders – schools, utilities, officials, contractors, and residents – for the common goal of a vibrant, healthy canopy
• Educate the public on trees and their value to individuals, homeowners, and communities
• Reach out to other communities who share common issues with Scottsville on trees and tree health
• Perpetuate a Forestry Board and Management Plan to ensure that our tree health remains a priority to the Village of Scottsville
As of 2015, we are a Tree City USA of the National Arbor Day Foundation, an honor that villages and cities have to earn through sound organizational practices and activities. We are always need and welcome volunteers on our board. Periodically we need help in the following areas: finance, grants, Earth Day/Arbor Day events and celebration, modern methods of communication on issues and activities with Scottsville residents, photography, writing, and computer applications. School, Scouts, and community projects are always welcome – please inquire!
Founded around the principle that Scottsville’s trees, one of the village’s greatest assets, are aging and unsafe, and the canopy is in need of preservation, the Scottsville Forestry Board “manages” village trees on public property.
We are a committee of residents of the Village of Scottsville, with functional and fiduciary responsibilities as a Board and to the Village Board. Our work is that of planning preservation and replacement activities, and advising the Village Board for action. The work of removing and maintaining (pruning) trees is accomplished through contractors or employees of the DPW. The Mayor and the DPW Superintendent are ad hoc members of the Tree Board. We meet monthly and as needed to accomplish our goals.
We’ve been in place for about six years, mostly in the background as we organize and create our vision and mission, ordinances, and a Management Plan. Members include a cross section of village residents; we employ the services of a professional arborist and a DEC Forester, who advises us. Our funding comes from the Village and grants from state and federal sources.
Here is a partial list of the various activities performed by the Tree Board and its members.
• Inventory the trees and their condition on public property to prepare for their succession
• Plan for plantings, pruning, and removals, and track the results of the planning
• Work with village stakeholders – schools, utilities, officials, contractors, and residents – for the common goal of a vibrant, healthy canopy
• Educate the public on trees and their value to individuals, homeowners, and communities
• Reach out to other communities who share common issues with Scottsville on trees and tree health
• Perpetuate a Forestry Board and Management Plan to ensure that our tree health remains a priority to the Village of Scottsville
As of 2015, we are a Tree City USA of the National Arbor Day Foundation, an honor that villages and cities have to earn through sound organizational practices and activities. We are always need and welcome volunteers on our board. Periodically we need help in the following areas: finance, grants, Earth Day/Arbor Day events and celebration, modern methods of communication on issues and activities with Scottsville residents, photography, writing, and computer applications. School, Scouts, and community projects are always welcome – please inquire!
“Scottsville Tree Inventory Update”
The Village is proceeding with the “Scottsville Tree Inventory Update” project which is funded through a NYSDEC grant under the Urban & Community Forestry program. The Forestry Board is pleased to announce that Phase 1 “Tree Inventory” is complete. We now have an accurate account of the number, age, health and species of trees that are within the public areas (sidewalks, right of ways and parks) of the Village. Phase 1 helped us to identify the diversity and health of our village of trees. In Phase II, our next steps will be to analyze and assess the tree data collected by arborists from Davey Resource Group, Inc. and collect some additional field data on a select group of trees with higher maintenance needs. Once this is completed, the arborists from Davey along with the NYSDEC Region 8 forester, the Village Forestry Board, staff from the Department of Public Works and Village Trustee Christie Offen, will meet to discuss and prioritize the trees that need maintenance care or removal.
The Village is proceeding with the “Scottsville Tree Inventory Update” project which is funded through a NYSDEC grant under the Urban & Community Forestry program. The Forestry Board is pleased to announce that Phase 1 “Tree Inventory” is complete. We now have an accurate account of the number, age, health and species of trees that are within the public areas (sidewalks, right of ways and parks) of the Village. Phase 1 helped us to identify the diversity and health of our village of trees. In Phase II, our next steps will be to analyze and assess the tree data collected by arborists from Davey Resource Group, Inc. and collect some additional field data on a select group of trees with higher maintenance needs. Once this is completed, the arborists from Davey along with the NYSDEC Region 8 forester, the Village Forestry Board, staff from the Department of Public Works and Village Trustee Christie Offen, will meet to discuss and prioritize the trees that need maintenance care or removal.
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Invasive Species News - Oak Wilt
Success in South Bristol In February, DEC Division of Lands and Forests and Division of Operations staff worked together to wrap up an oak wilt treatment project on two sites in the Town of South Bristol. Oak wilt was detected at this location during aerial surveying last summer. Since then, DEC has worked with the private landowners to remove and chip infected trees, as well as dig trenching around the infection area to prevent oak wilt from spreading through roots into nearby trees. DEC staff expect the sites to receive clean bills of health during field visits this summer and will continue to monitor the area until it can be considered eradicated after five years with no oak wilt. Top photo: A tree infected with oak wilt was first detected in the area during an aerial survey. Bottom photo: Infected trees were put through a chipper. Chips were then covered with a tarp that prevents insects from entering and allows the chips to dry out, killing any remaining fungus. Prune to Protect - Make Smart Cuts Now Have you trimmed your trees yet this winter? Avoid any risk of oak wilt by fitting in your pruning before the end of March. November through March is the safest time to make cuts because both the oak wilt fungus and the beetles that spread the disease are dormant. Winter pruning can also benefit trees by helping them grow more vigorously in the spring. For more information about the oak wilt fungus, check out our website. |
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Take Time to Inspect Your Hemlocks this Winter
You can help protect New York's forests this winter by learning how to identify and report hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). This invasive forest pest kills hemlock trees in the eastern United States. HWA can be difficult to spot because of its small size, so infestations are best identified by the white, woolly masses the insects create to protect themselves and their eggs. These woolly masses are most easily seen from November through April and are found at the base of the needles on infested hemlock trees.
Visit DEC's webpage for information on how to report possible infestations, as well as what you can do to help slow the spread of this invasive pest.
You can help protect New York's forests this winter by learning how to identify and report hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). This invasive forest pest kills hemlock trees in the eastern United States. HWA can be difficult to spot because of its small size, so infestations are best identified by the white, woolly masses the insects create to protect themselves and their eggs. These woolly masses are most easily seen from November through April and are found at the base of the needles on infested hemlock trees.
Visit DEC's webpage for information on how to report possible infestations, as well as what you can do to help slow the spread of this invasive pest.
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Left photo: White woolly egg masses on a hemlock branch. Photo by Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station
Right photo: Hemlock woolly adelgid adults at the base of a twig's needles. Photo by Mark Whitmore
Right photo: Hemlock woolly adelgid adults at the base of a twig's needles. Photo by Mark Whitmore
Trees in the Village of Scottsville are a benefit to all. Before you take down a tree, or if a utility company contacts you to
take down a tree or prune a tree on your property, talk to a member of the
Village of Scottsville Forestry Board
for alternative ideas by calling 889-6050 (Village of Scottsville Office)
they will put you in contact with a member of the Forestry Board
take down a tree or prune a tree on your property, talk to a member of the
Village of Scottsville Forestry Board
for alternative ideas by calling 889-6050 (Village of Scottsville Office)
they will put you in contact with a member of the Forestry Board
Oak Wilt Disease
Oak wilt is a serious tree disease in the eastern United States, killing thousands of oaks each year in forests, woodlots and home landscapes. It is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. The fungus grows in the water-conducting vessels of host trees plugging up these vessels and preventing water transport. As water movement within the tree is slowed, the leaves wilt and drop off, often killing the tree rapidly.
DEC requests that the public be on the lookout this summer for oak trees that suddenly lose their leaves during the months of July or August.
These occurrences should be reported to DEC's Forest Health Information Line toll-free at 1-866-640-0652 or via email foresthealth@dec.ny.gov. Submitting pictures of oaks showing symptoms of oak wilt is encouraged. If people think they have Oak Wilt they should contact the Forestry Board and DEC Region 8.
For more information about oak wilt or the emergency orders, please visit DEC's website.
Oak wilt is a serious tree disease in the eastern United States, killing thousands of oaks each year in forests, woodlots and home landscapes. It is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. The fungus grows in the water-conducting vessels of host trees plugging up these vessels and preventing water transport. As water movement within the tree is slowed, the leaves wilt and drop off, often killing the tree rapidly.
DEC requests that the public be on the lookout this summer for oak trees that suddenly lose their leaves during the months of July or August.
These occurrences should be reported to DEC's Forest Health Information Line toll-free at 1-866-640-0652 or via email foresthealth@dec.ny.gov. Submitting pictures of oaks showing symptoms of oak wilt is encouraged. If people think they have Oak Wilt they should contact the Forestry Board and DEC Region 8.
For more information about oak wilt or the emergency orders, please visit DEC's website.
Earth Day 2018
Earth Day 2017
Earth Day 2016
Forestry Board and TJ Connor Environmental Club Team Up and Plant Trees
Useful Links:
Village of Scottsville Tree Inventory
Village of Scottsville Tree Inventory