Busy Days for the Rutter Tree Fund
by Larry Hamilton

We hope that both Charlotters and visitors are enjoying the sight of the plantings which were carried out last year. They came through last year's dryness and the winter rigors in very good shape.
The flowering crabs on Ferry Road in the town center were particularly lovely this spring. And the disease-resistant elms in front of the Old Lantern (including Dick Weed’s tree) look good. Soon the trees at the Town Hall parking area will be shading vehicles and people. We have put out tree collar watering tubs on most trees and the trees have been fertilized.
We hope that you have noticed some of this spring's new planting around town. Trees have been planted at the following locations, thanks to Horsford's Nursery and South Forty Nursery: nine white pines on Dorset Street Extension on the curve of the Wells property; an elm and nine sugar maples along north side Hinesburg Road from Spears Corners west; five white pines on Hinesburg Road, on the north side, about 1/2 mile west of Spears Corners; three sugar maples in front of 3492 Spear Street at the Tatlock-Lary place; three Valley Forge elms on Mike Spears’ property, Ferry Road, west of Lake Road on the south side in the brush-hogged area; five swamp white oak on Ferry Road on the north side from Whalley Road west, and along Whalley Road on the Parker land; six sugar maples, five elms, nine red maples; six swamp white oaks on East Thompson's Point Road, north side from corner Greenbush on the Boumans' goat farm; two sycamores at Town Ballfield parking area on Lake Road; three sycamores at the Town Beach area; one sycamore at the Charlotte Wildlife Refuge and Park; three sycamores on Lake Road, west of Orchard Road, and fourteen trees along Greenbush Road at Pecor's Horse Farm.
In addition, the committee dug in and planted 30 more trees from Cobble Creek Nursery at the nursery at Robin Coleburn's, for future planting activity. We have mulched all trees, put tree tub collars around most trees, and arranged for watering services with Robert Mack, Steve Denton and Fix-It-Rich.
We’ve noticed private plantings on Dorset Street, north of Carpenter Road on the west side. Along the west side of Route 7, Evan Metropolis has planted 24 red and silver maple hybrids. Is roadside tree restoration catching on?
Do not forget that we are implementing a project of education and training starting in July to help Charlotters care for their trees or for those we have planted around town. This was conceived by Annemie Curlin and the committee received an award from The Vermont Division of Urban and Community Forestry to obtain materials, provide experts, and conduct sessions. Register to train as a Tree Keeper at the Town Party or at annemie@accessvt.com.