To the Editor:

Our Christmas tree plantation (about 1 acre) of white pine in another state at first went well for several years. We were guided by the US Department of Agriculture, the state Department of Forestry, and the various extension agents, so for several years we were able to invite the public to cut their own trees and we donated a number of trees to local churches for their tree sales.

We were amazed however at the incredibly fast growth of the trees, which seemed to respond to the required shearing we did, by growing still faster and faster, so that whatever had not been cut down as a salable Christmas tree in ten years very quickly turned into an impenetrable forest of 40 to 60 foot unsellable Christmas trees.

Yet our trees were the right trees for the rural acreage and the purpose we had at the time. Observing our experience, a family member commented, “Whatever you plant first sleeps, then creeps, then leaps!”

How right she was!

Connecticut’s green areas are beautiful and attractive and provide a needed home to wild life, yet sometimes too much tree too close to our homes and power lines can pose a problem. Much study has already been undertaken by our state in the 94 pages of recommendations by CT DEEP Task Force put together in 2012 after Hurricane Irene, which came up with these thoughts: “This budget imbalance combined with chronic underfunding for forest management at the state and municipal levels has led to the current situation where utilities serve as de facto tree managers for most towns. There are many examples of the utilities assisting the towns and tree wardens, but the utility goals of keeping the lights on does not always sync neatly with the goal of building a healthy, more storm resistant roadside forest for the future.

It continues: “The Task Force understands that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to achieve a better maintained, healthier roadside forest. This makes sense given the large differences between urban, suburban, and rural areas, various tree species, and diverse aesthetic visions from town to town. The Task Force also acknowledges that the many benefits provided by trees are maximized when those trees are healthy and well maintained. The Task Force has chosen to highlight several recommendations in this Executive Summary but we encourage you to read the entire report for the full set of recommendations and the context for each.”

The report also suggests “to have plants that have short mature heights adjacent to utility lines.”

Remember our experience with the trees that got away from us: “Whatever you plant first sleeps, then creeps, then leaps!”

Claire Theune

Sandy Hook