GreenTriage SWCC
Green Triage SWCC
Contact: GreenTriageSWCC AT Gmail DOT com
Who we are
A pruning club comprised of volunteers including Tree Tenders, neighbors and “guest” arborists working in unison with SOSNA
Goals
• Care for our green canopy to ensure healthy trees
• Increase our base of fun-loving (tree-loving!) pruning volunteers
Objectives
• Nurture – ensure “toddler” trees survive and thrive
• Safety – sidewalk, street and sight improvement for pedestrians and drivers
• Health – remove suckers; improve tree structure; reach out to neighbors to water
Tools
A core set of pruning tools is being purchased with funds from SOSNA for use by Green Triage only on a sign-out basis. Tools include:
• 2 Fiskar combo telescoping pole saw/pruner and 2 tree lopers
• 6 anvil pruners and 6 hand saws
• 2 bales of bundling twine
• 20 tree gator bags
Certified Arborist Support
“Guest” arborists will be invited monthly to provide on-site triage and instruction
Extent of Pruning
Minor – Small branches and suckers; working from ground level at arm’s length
Major - Under guidance of an arborist, only - larger limbs and altering tree shape
Initial Designated Areas to Prune
Year 2011
-
Assess/address trees planted by Tree Tenders in 2009 or earlier
- Include surrounding trees on a given block
- Conduct a “critical green triage” walk around and identify established trees in critical need of pruning attention. Prioritize for intervention.
- Begin database of blocks/trees for future pruning
- Implement a procedure for pruning permission/refusal
Year 2012
- Address all trees planted by Tree Tenders in 2010
- Begin tackling blocks identified in 2011
How can you become more involved?
Green Triage Administration
- Create volunteers database/list and conduct email blasts
- Scheduling/Calendar functions (e.g. pruning dates, notifying volunteers, cancellations)
- Tree pruning resident/property notification: distribute mini-flyers with “Opt Out” provision a week in advance
- Create/Update tree database/list
Pruning Day Actions
- Transport tools and clean-up supplies to/from designated meeting location
-
Greet tree pruners and manage Sign in Sheet = Liability Waiver
- Oversee check out/return of tools
- Designate “bundle master” to oversee proper disposal
- Take before and after photos (optional)
Outreach
- Attract new members and encourage them to become TreeTenders
- Create/administer Green Triage web site (+ newsletter, fliers, etc.)
- Education/education materials
- Green Triage Rewards Program – an incentive “reward” for attending X number of sessions (e.g., receive a set of pruners)
MOST IMPORTANT – this is a community opportunity to get outdoors and have FUN!!!
