The West Hartford Tree Project is now in its fifth year and hopes to have a successful crowdfunding campaign and that qualifies for a Sustainable CT match.

By Ronni Newton

A fundraising campaign is underway, and by the end of December the West Hartford Tree Project hopes to raise enough money to qualify for a Sustainable CT grant, which will allow the organization to purchase more than 1,000 trees that will be provided to West Hartford residents or businesses next spring – free of charge.

Now in its fifth year, the West Hartford Tree Project was founded by residents Ted Goerner and his wife, Carolyn. Both are public school science teachers who are passionate about the important role of trees in the environment, and turned that passion into action by launching the West Hartford Tree Project.

In the second year, they were joined by residents Bill Gleason and Tom and Rachel Martin. There are about 20 other volunteers – including students – who help out in key roles like distribution of trees and manufacturing of cages to protect the young trees.

As of Dec. 13, the patronicity campaign had raised $5,100 from 54 individual donors. Goerner said the fundraising goal this year is $7,500, and if that’s met by Dec. 31, 2024, it will be eligible for a matching grant from Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund, for a total of $15,000.

“This will again allow us to purchase over 1,000 native, potted, tagged trees and shrubs from a reputable supplier to be given away in April 2025,” Goerner said.

The most likely line-up of trees for 2025 include large trees such as Tulip, Sugar Maple, White Oak, and Sycamore; medium sized trees such as Black Gum Tupelo, Yellow Birch, White Spruce (arborvitae), and Pitch Pine; and smaller trees such as Striped Maple and Spicebush. They will all be obtained from the same supplier, and will be potted and tagged when distributed.

“Biodiversity is important to us. Five of these are new species that we have never offered before,” Goerner said. “This brings our total number of species that we have offered over our five years to 29.” All trees and shrubs are native species. “A biodiverse tree canopy is more resilient in the face of invasive insects, disease, and climate change than one with less variety,” he said.

“This last September and October were the two driest consecutive months in the history of weather recording in Connecticut. It is very possible that when this autumn ends in December it will go down in history as the driest autumn in Connecticut weather history as well. This drought will undoubtedly lead to the early deaths of even more West Hartford trees. We believe it is vital to stop cutting down healthy mature trees and to begin replanting as aggressively as possible putting the right trees in the right places,” Goerner said.

When the Goerners started the West Hartford Tree Project, it was in response to witnessing the alarming loss of many mature trees in town a– due to old age, climate change, disease, drought, high winds, and wanton cutting. Urban forests provide many benefits, “include cooling in the summer, beautification, increased property values, noise reduction, air purification, stress relief, traffic calming, wind reduction, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and much more,” the project description states.

In addition to trees, the West Hartford Tree Project now offers cages, which are cut from fencing by volunteers. Cages protect the young trees from rabbits, dogs, lawnmowers, and other hazards.

Goerner said that trees will be able to be requested beginning in January, through a form on the West Hartford Tree Project Facebook page.

The West Hartford Tree Project is all donor-based, and does not receive any taxpayer money. The town does provide input, however, and the organization has worked closely with town departments on planting and invasive species removal initiatives. “We are still in frequent communication with Leisure Services, Public Works, and West Hartford Public Schools and are very excited that the town has hired a contractor to do a tree canopy survey,” Goerner added.

The project has continued to grow. In its first year, the West Hartford Tree Project raised $1,100 from 25 donors and distributed 1,100 seedlings and plugs. Last year, $8,241 was raised from 107 donors, and with the $7,500 Sustainable CT match, more than $16,000 was used to purchase and distribute 1,354 trees – the majority of them potted – to 372 requestors.

To donate to the the West Hartford Tree Project, click here.

In addition to distributing the trees, the West Hartford Tree Project provides education about where and how the trees should be planted. They hold workshops, provide guidance on distribution day, and offer tips on their Facebook page.

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