CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — The seven-foot-tall Concolor fir planted last week on Holiday Lane in Canandaigua will soon look nothing like the Christmas tree placed annually in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, as neighbor Bob Stolze put it.
But the new tree will help the neighborhood continue a long-standing holiday tradition, one that was threatened after the city removed the 50- to 60-foot spruce in the circle at the end of Canandaigua’s cul-de-sac in January. bag that provided holiday cheer for years.
Most everyone in the North Pearl Street area seems happy with the compromise, not that the tree was removed at all, but with the way the situation was resolved and that city officials recognized that the Holiday Lane tree was an asset to the street is. and to Canandaigua, according to neighbor Rhonda Destino.
“We appreciated having a seat at the table in discussions about the ‘next’ tree in the circle,” Destino said in an email. “We were impressed by the City Council’s willingness to listen to their constituents who asked how we could move forward after the tree was cut down.”
What neighbors said started with a lack of communication about the tree’s removal, but turned into a “nice give-and-take dialogue” with neighbors and city officials.
“For many neighbors, this went beyond ‘just a tree,’” Destino says.
Canandaigua City Manager John Goodwin said citizens were concerned. They came to the local government and asked to cooperate with them, which happened.
“It seems to have worked out, exactly as it should,” Goodwin said.
A refresher: what happened on Holiday Lane in Canandaigua, NY
The tree — which was about 20 years old — removed in January is believed to be the second tree in this neighborhood near Woodlawn Cemetery to be decorated by neighbors for the holidays.
The tree was thought to be dying and was therefore removed, prompting neighbors and members of the City Council, the city’s tree advisory board and city arborist Stephanie Crim to debate what should be planted next.
Neighbors wanted another evergreen tree, preferably a large one that could be transplanted. City officials said soil conditions in the neighborhood are not ripe for evergreen trees and expressed concern for the safety of residents should a large tree fall during a storm.
A compromise for the upcoming holidays in Canandaigua, NY
The new tree is a compromise, in that it is an evergreen tree as the neighbors wanted, but clearly not a mature tree, which is what they would have preferred.
According to the Cornell University Woody Plants Database, the concolor, or white, pine can grow to a height of between 50 and 80 feet with a spread of 15 to 30 feet. The tree does well in consistently moist, well-drained soil, but can also tolerate periods of dry soil.
The longevity of the spruce and the conditions in the Holiday Lane circle give Stolze confidence that the new tree will thrive.
“I have also been told that a 6-foot tree is the ideal size to successfully adapt and thrive, and that in a few years it will probably grow taller than if we planted a 10-foot tree, Stolze said.
The city will provide all food and water supplies. Neighbors will continue to mow and maintain the circle, Stolze said.
Neighbors won’t be able to use electric lights as in the past, but battery-powered or solar-powered lights can be used, Stolze said.
“I do believe one thing: they wouldn’t have put in a new evergreen without us speaking out and giving it some visibility,” Stolze said.
Goodwin said, “While it is not best practice to plant the tree we planted, I think everyone seems to be happy with the results.”
Why this was an important debate in Canandaigua, NY
The ongoing dialogue is an example of the community’s passion for trees, Goodwin said, and the importance Canandaigua places on its urban forest.
The city has been designated a Tree City USA for more than 30 years and plans to remain so for many years to come, Goodwin said. More trees are planted each year than are cut down.
Trees are essential to the city’s infrastructure and character, but they must be managed smartly, Goodwin said.
“Through the process we learned a lot about trees and how special Canandaigua really is in that respect,” says Stolze.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other Ontario County communities and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Holiday tradition continues in Canandaigua, NY with planting of new tree
