Tree care training seminar set for Sept. 22 & 29

The massive fall planting of trees throughout those communities affected by the October 2006 storm will get under way following a series of "bare-root" tree planting seminars to be held later this month.

The sessions are being organized by Re-Tree Western New York and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Training will take place at two sites - one in Buffalo and one in Snyder.

Re-Tree WNY is an all-volunteer organization founded to reforest the Buffalo area as a response to the thousands of trees lost during the surprise October 2006 storm.

"We plant using the bare-root tree-planting method because it gives us the ability to use any and all volunteers to accomplish our goal. Bare-root trees are less expensive to purchase and easier to maneuver by our people. It just takes a little training to get the hang of it, and these sessions will give our tree planters all the knowledge they need to help us this fall," stated David Colligan, co-chairman of Re-Tree WNY.

The fall plantings by Re-Tree WNY will take place in approximately 20 communities and area public parks, including Buffalo's Olmsted Park System. Donated funds will be channeled to buy trees to be planted in the locations specified by the municipality or park.

M&T Bank has provided special funding, making training sessions in Olmsted Parks possible.

A complimentary Re-Tree WNY crew leader T-shirt will be provided by National Fuel's "811 Call Before You Dig" service upon completion of the training.

The Amherst sessions will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 and at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder.

The Buffalo seminars will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Parkside Lodge, Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy, 84 Parkside Ave.

Additional information on Re-Tree WNY is available at www. re- treewny. org.