Town receives $25,000 tree grant

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, left, recently secured $25,000 for the Highway Department to replace damaged trees. He is joined by Highway Superintendent Bob Anderson at Gleason's Nursery. Photo by Amy Krakowiak Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, announced on Oct. 17 that he secured a $25,000 state grant for the Amherst Highway Department to plant 160 trees to replace ones destroyed by the October 2006 surprise storm.

"Amherst's natural landscape suffered a profound loss of aesthetic beauty last October. I am pleased to help fund the Town's reforestation effort," Hayes said.

The trees will be planted throughout the town under the restoration plan developed by a Tree Advisory Committee that has been working with Highway Superintendent Bob Anderson.

"The committee aims to revitalize the town's 'treescape' that was damaged ... and has been actively working on determining tree species for the re-tree effort," Anderson said.

The tree committee is made up of town residents with experience as arbortists or occupations specializing in tree restoration.

The list of recommended tree species is available at www. amherst. ny. us.