Taking comfort under the shade of an oak tree is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. But, have you wondered how these mighty trees are maintained, or how the village ensures a healthy and diversified tree canopy will comfort residents for years to come?

The Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission will welcome New Jersey Certified Tree Expert Nick Polanin to address these very questions on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 7:30 pm at the Ridgewood Public Library.

Sustainable Tree Management

Mr. Polanin will discuss sustainable street tree management, the problems facing our urban trees, the challenges and even liabilities involved with the selection of our street trees, as well as issues with care and maintenance, including pest management intervention.

Robust and Healthy Tree Ecosystem

"We are so excited to have Nick Polanin speak at the Ridgewood Library," said Monica Buesser, Chairperson of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission. "Village residents will have the unique opportunity to learn the complexities and importance of maintaining a robust and healthy tree ecosystem in our community.”

This lecture is free and open to the public. Continuing education credit is also available for attendees.

The Ridgewood Public Library is located at 125 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey.

For more information, contact Monica Buesser, mkbuesser@gmail.com.

Having over 30 years of experience in the municipal, residential, and academic sectors of arboriculture and urban forestry, Nick has taught countless professionals and volunteers on many aspects within urban forestry. He has been nationally recognized for his leadership and educational initiatives in training arborists and other tree care professionals on the selection and care of trees and pest intervention, as well as sustainable street tree management. He currently serves as statewide coordinator for the Rutgers NJAES Master Gardener Program. Nick holds an M.S. in Horticulture/Urban Forestry (1989), and a B.S. in Natural Resource Management/Forestry (1982), both from Rutgers University.

Protect, Preserve and Enhance Shade Trees 

The Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission’s (STC) purpose is to protect, preserve and enhance the shade trees in the village. Shade Trees are defined as trees planted next to streets on the Village’s property. The STC’s goals are to foster public-private partnerships to 1) educate the community about the contribution shade trees make to the Village environment and, 2) increase the number of shade trees in the village by actively promoting community tree planting programs.