Arboretum Reopens!

The Arboretum has officially reopened, after being closed for seven months due to unsafe conditions created by last October's unusual Halloween snowstorm.

"We're so pleased to finally reopen," said Arboretum President Karen Jescavage-Bernard. "It took a long time because all the arborists in the area have been swamped since the storm. Also, you can't get heavy equipment into the trail area so all the work had to be done by climbing damaged trees—a slow and potentially dangerous process. We hired a forestry consultant to inspect more than 118 trees and then arranged for 90 trees to be removed or pruned."

"Now that we've dealt with the devastation the storm did to our trees," said Bernard, "we need to deal with the devastation it did to our finances. We've spent more than $14,000 to date—using funds that would otherwise have gone to improving our boardwalk and trails, much-needed planting projects and educational programs. We appeal to everyone who loves the Arboretum to make a donation and help us recover financially."

Treeline is Online

The Winter 2012 issue of Treeline has been mailed to all members and can be read online here. If you're not a member, please support the Arboretum and become a member today.

Croton Gardens Exhibit

Spring is almost here and local artist Judy O’Hara is exhibiting a group of watercolors inspired by the gardens of Croton, including some she visited during last summer's garden tour. The exhibit is at the Croton Free Library during March, with a reception on Saturday, March 3 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Winter Tree Walk

Arborist Craig Stevens will lead a tree identification walk in the Arboretum on Sunday, February 19th from noon to 2 p.m. This year there will be a special focus on storm damage—how to prevent it, how to deal with critical pruning in the aftermath, corrective pruning for tree survival, and what species to avoid planting in the first place.

We will park along Fox Road and walk along the access road to the Arboretum. Dress warmly.

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at 8 p.m. in the small meeting room on the 2nd floor of the Croton Municipal Building, 1 Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson.

The purpose of the meeting is to conduct all business requiring approval by the membership, to elect directors and officers, to present a yearly financial report, to summarize our achievements in 2011, and to set a course for 2012.

Directors are elected by the members to serve three-year terms, while officers are elected by the Directors to serve one-year terms. The newsletter editor is appointed by the Directors. Three Directors have been re-nominated to serve through February 2015:

• Lisa Cohen

• Martin Smolin

• ToyKen Yee

Nominations for Directors may also be made from the floor at the meeting.

In order to vote, your membership must be current. You can vote either in person or by requesting a proxy. Proxies must be received no later than February 13, 2012. As always, the next issue of Treeline will contain a full report on the annual meeting.

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th.