Re-Tree WNY training session planned in Amherst

A training session will be held this weekend in preparation for the massive replanting of trees lost in the October 2006 snowstorm.

Training will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at The Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Amherst.

The training session will be held for volunteer group leaders or those who wish to organize a group. The training is free and will detail how a tree that is to be planted via the "bare root" method is most effectively accomplished.

"As in our previous two plantings in 2007, bare root tree planting training will be done for our volunteers," said Paul Maurer, Re-Tree WNY co-chairman.

"We will be doing a majority of this type of tree planting because it gives us the ability to use most volunteers to plant with a minimum of heavy equipment," he said. "This eliminates the need to buy or rent a lot of cumbersome machinery, and the average person can do this for a fairly large tree without breaking his or her back. We also will realize a substantial savings in our massive tree purchases when we do this."

The process includes dipping the tree's roots in a solution called hydrogel, which sustains the tree for long periods of open-air exposure without having to wrap it in heavy clumps of dirt and burlap.

Planting dates will take place on Saturdays, starting May 3, with a few plantings on Arbor Day, Friday, April 25, where ceremonies will take place to kick off the 2008 tree season.

Plantings are being organized by Re-Tree WNY.

Starting this year, Re-Tree WNY has appointed 24 community coordinators, each responsible for plantings in the municipality where he or she resides.

Total trees to be planted this May are 2,100, with 75 tree species; this fall, the number will be upwards of 4,000.

The tree planting session at the Park School and Re-Tree WNY Community Coordinator's program is sponsored by National Grid.

For information, visit www.re-treewny.org or call Mauer at 888-9766. Information on the April 12 session is available at 741-7063.