Shade Tree Commission to help update district planting plan for Trees for Schools grant

The Verona Board of Education heard that the district is coordinating with the Verona Shade Tree Commission and planned forester or landscape professionals to update campus planting plans for a Trees for Schools grant.

During the finance discussion relating to E2, a board member asked about the timeline for the assessment and when the district expects feedback. Superintendent Diane Digi Zepi replied that the Shade Tree Commission is working with district staff on the Trees for Schools grant. She said foresters will scout the district’s six campuses and update the planting plan included in the grant.

“As soon as this gets approved, they'll probably be here this week or next week, and we will get the the updated grant is due November 14, so soon,” Digi Zepi said. She added the grant recommends using a forester or landscape architect to promote long-term tree survival and to avoid future sidewalk conflicts.

Why it matters: an updated planting plan approved through the grant process can fund trees for district campuses and influence shade, stormwater and campus aesthetics. The district and Shade Tree Commission plan to prioritize planting locations to avoid sidewalk damage and long-term maintenance issues.

No formal vote on the grant was recorded at the Oct. 14 meeting; the superintendent said the updated application is due Nov. 14.