The Arboretum partners with local group working to make New London greener
The Connecticut College Arboretum is partnering with a local grassroots organization to help increase the number of, well, tree roots in the city of New London.
Cofounded by Maggie Redfern, assistant director of the Arboretum, New London Trees is a non-profit organization with a mission to increase the city’s tree population through community planting and care, education and advocacy. After a successful crowdfunding campaign and with a grant from Sustainable CT, the group is working with the Arboretum to identify tree varieties, including American hornbeam, pepperidge and sweetgum trees, that are best suited for the specific sites, according to The Day newspaper. They plan to buy and plant 30 new trees in various locations throughout the city this year.
The identified planting sites include Green Harbor Park, a Montauk Avenue area near Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, and Ashcroft Road, where a wide grassy strip was recently created between the street and the sidewalk. The group is also working to ensure the trees’ survival in New London’s urban landscape.
“One of the biggest threats is mowers,” Redfern told The Day.
