Branching Out Tree Initiative
“Branching Out Tree Initiative” is the City of Stamford’s new tree planting program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service as part of the Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Program. The goal of the program is to plant hundreds of trees in the neighborhoods that lack them the most.
Trees have a lot of benefits; they are important for urban areas and quality of life. The City of Stamford is planning to start planting trees during fall 2025, with a goal of planting about 300 trees total. The city has already identified potential tree planting spots, and needs input from the community to know where people want trees.
Why are street trees important
Trees reduce heating and cooling costs in the winter and summer.
Trees increase property values.Trees reduce stress and help create safer neighborhoods.
Tree roots help with stormwater management and flooding.
Trees improve air quality and reduce air pollution.
You can find out more about urban trees on these websites:
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Planting Sites
FAQ:
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Why is the city planting trees?
This initiative is part of Stamford's goal to "protect, enhance, and expand equitable urban tree canopy cover to maximize community access to human health, social, ecological, and economic benefits." You can find out more about the city’s Urban Forestry Working Group here.
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Where is the city planting trees?
The location of the trees will depend on community input - use the map and Google Form to pick out an eligible spot for a tree!
What types of trees will be planted?
There are many species of trees that can serve as good street trees, ranging from Gingko trees to American Elms. For this project, the city hopes to highlight native species and avoid invasive species like the Bradford Pear.
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If you'd like to know more about how the City of Stamford handles trees, look here.
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