Community Development

City Completes DEC Tree Planting Project

The City of Cortland was fortunate to receive $3,500 from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) under its Urban and Community Forestry Program for tree planting in the area of the City referred to in the application as the South End Neighborhood. The City is required to match the grant, which it did with funding from its yearly tree planting program.

The South End Neighborhood was selected based on the funding priority put forth by the DEC, i.e., an economically distressed area that lacks trees. The City used its grants funds to plant 25 trees in the City’s right-of-way at various sites in the South End. Contractor Glenn Fritts of Countree Lawn and Landscape in Lapeer completed the work on behalf of the City.

The City planted 2-inch caliper Red Oak and American Hornbeam trees. The American Hornbeam is suitable for planting under overhead utility wires and the Red Oak was planted in areas where utilities were not a concern. Selected property owners agreed to water the trees.

The City of Cortland has been fortunate to receive a number of DEC tree planting grants in the past. These have been used to beautify City parking lots and address the lack of trees on a number of City streets. The tree programs assist in beautifying neighborhoods, providing needed shade, and help to reduce the effects of heat emanating from paved areas of the City.