The beauty of the town of Hamden is not limited to the Sleeping Giant National State Park. While driving through the town of Hamden, visitors might notice the extensive nature and foliage sprouting around them. Some of the saplings planted are thanks to one volunteer group — the Hamden Tree Commission.
“Not only do (the trees) make neighborhoods beautiful, and I think everyone recognizes that value, but it’s all the ecological values that people may not necessarily know or be able to quantify,” said Thomas Parlapiano, chairman of the commission.
The idea for the commission began in 2012 after two major storms, including Hurricane Sandy, Parlapiano said. The commission’s main initiatives include educating residents about tree planting and overseeing the work done on both street and public trees throughout town. As of publication, Parlapiano said that the commission plants on average 50-60 trees a year and has planted roughly 400 trees throughout the town since its start.
“Trees just do so many different things for us and they’re really important,” Parlapiano said. “I think not enough people realize that when you take down a tree, there can often be a huge environmental impact.”
The commission publishes columns in the local papers regularly, including the New Haven Register, as well as on Facebook, Parlapiano said. In addition, its educational initiatives expand and take a hands-on approach for residents in the town.
“We do workshops on how to prune trees, how to plant trees and also just tree selection so that people know the best types of trees to plant in certain locations,” Parlapiano said.
Unlike some other Connecticut towns, the commission offers residents a chance to request to plant a tree on town property free of charge. The commission’s expenditures come from a communal tree gift fund.
Due to the fact that it is still town property, Parlapiano said that trees planted in front of a resident’s house on the strip of land between the sidewalk and street are free.
“Up until recently, it has not been legal for people to plant trees in that strip of land, so they can request a tree from the town,” Parlapiano said. “The town provides a tree for free, and we’ll plant it in front of their property, provided they’ve got the right conditions.”
However, for those seeking to have a tree planted on their own property, costs come from the homeowner’s pocket.
“They would then purchase the tree and plant the tree, but with our oversight to make sure that the species, so that it all fits the planting site and it’s the right tree for the right place,” Parlapiano said.
Most of the tree requests come from the Spring Glen and Whitneyville areas, Parlapiano said.
Trees that the town can provide to residents vary.
Mike Montgomery, tree planting coordinator for the commission, directly visits and talks with the inquiring residents about what may be available and what can be planted on the property. He said the most common trees planted in the last few years are cherry trees.
“I try to tell people what’s available and find out what their preferences are,” Montgomery said. “Of course, we really encourage people that are not under utility wires where we can plan a tall tree, that they do take a tall tree.”
The commission has five members and two vacant spots. Given the small number of people on the commission, Parlapiano said the amount they are actually completing “is sort of limited.”
“I think a lot of the time people are not aware of the process for joining a commission,” Parlapiano said. “But right now, I say, we’re down to 60% of our strength, we could use two more people.”
Despite the lack of members, the commission continues to make environmental strides in the town.
He said the commission has almost 60 requests at this point in time and are continuing to plant them, keeping in mind the budget in place.
Sarah Clark, a Hamden resident of 42 years, had an autumn blaze maple tree planted on town property in front of her house in April 2017. She said “the process was easy, the people involved were knowledgeable, professional and helpful.”
“The Tree Commission provides an essential service by focusing on ways to protect and enhance this important element of our community – it’s essentially a ‘voice’ for Hamden’s treescape,” Clark wrote.
After she had the tree planted, Clark said six of her neighbors subsequently requested and received trees.
“Thanks to the Tree Commission, our street is more beautiful, our sidewalks are more appealing for walking (with the trees offering both shade and visual interest) and, if I understand the science correctly, our air and that of the town generally is healthier,” Clark said.
Although excited with the work already performed and the difference made in the town thus far, Parlapiano said that he is determined to grow the commission and looks toward the future of it.
“When you look at the number (of trees) that have either come down in storms, been taken down by the utilities or trees that have been taken down by public works because they’ve been hazards, we have a lot more trees to plant to keep up with that number,” Parlapiano said.
One reply on “Hamden Tree Commission expands its roots in the town”
Tom Parlapiano has had a great interest in trees and all of nature since he was a college student at Drew University many (too many!!) years ago. He’s probably an old crank by now, but it’s great to see that he still likes to improve his surroundings and make people happy! Keep up the great work Tom!