During the City of Cortland Common Council meeting Tuesday evening during the privilege to the floor Mike Dexter, Chairman of the City of Cortland Landscape and Design Commission (otherwise known as the Tree Commission) spoke on encouraging residents to sign-up for the tree planting program for next year.
There will be 5 different types of trees that would be available for planting on properties within the City of Cortland. The types of trees available are: Highland Park Maple, Winter King Hawthorn, Spring Flurry Serviceberry, Triumph Elm, and Harvest Gold Linden. A detailed page with tree images may be found HERE.
Dexter continued saying he hopes they will be able to get a large number of people to sign up, but also reminded residents of the ongoing Ash Tree removal.
“If they’re not dead this year, they will be dead and they will all be coming down in the city’s right-of-way.” Dexter said on the status of most Ash Trees within the city.
The Ash Trees in the City of Cortland have been greatly affected by the Emerald Ash Borer, which is an invasive, wood-boring beetle that kills Ash Trees. The beetle eats the tissues under the bark of the tree.
Currently, the City of Cortland is losing more trees than they’re planting, according to Dexter. Residents who would like to sign-up for a tree to be planted next Spring, must sign up and have the application turned in by October 1st. Planting will begin in May 2024.
There is no cost to the residents as the City of Cortland Department of Public Works will plant the tree.
“Get one of these trees, even if your tree is standing. You still may have room for a tree to be planted next to the [Ash Tree]. When it comes down, we can plant another tree if you want two trees, but don’t let the Ash trees be a hindrance as far as applying for a tree.” He continued.
You can find a printable application, HERE for the 2024 tree planting program.
