Gary Robinson: Dead trees are “a hazard to park users, especially around the soccer and softball fields”
By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
WEST AMWELL — Thanks to the efforts of the Community Forestry Committee, a township park soon will be safer for visitors and children playing ball.
The committee has won a $2,100 grant from the New Jersey Forest Service’s Community Forestry Program. It will pay for the removal of dead trees that pose a threat to public safety.
Committee Chairman Gary Robinson said Hewitt Park has “many dead elm trees.” They perished due to Dutch elm disease.
The dead trees are “a hazard to park users, especially around the soccer and softball fields,” Mr. Robinson said.
The grant will pay for the services of an arborist.
”We are doubly glad to remove the elms — killing two birds at once — removing the danger of the falling trees and helping to control and minimize the spread of the Dutch elm disease,” Mr. Robinson said.
”Dutch elm disease has been a devastating event in the history of tree diseases,” according to the plant clinic at Cornell University.
The disease is caused by a fungus and spread by beetles. First described in Holland in 1921, it began destroying elm trees in the United States in 1930 in Ohio. Two years later, it had spread to New Jersey.
West Amwell must match 25 percent of the grant award with in-kind services. The committee worked to identify the trees as part of a hazardous tree inventory. The inventory also is part of West Amwell’s Five-Year Management Plan.
Other management plan activities include the planting of trees at local schools in a public outreach effort, educational training, the development of a Web site devoted to tree topics, ordinance upgrades and photo contests.
Mr. Robinson is optimistic the committee’s work can continue to benefit the citizens of West Amwell.
”We look forward to other grants in the years ahead and always invite participation by all residents in the township,” he said.
The committee is comprised of five members. In addition to Mr. Robinson, they are Glenn Baran, Tom Davis, Jill Haug and Ron Shapella.

