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Norwalk Urban Forestry Commission reports more than 150 spring plantings, eyes West Avenue median project
Summary
Commissioners and staff said spring plantings topped roughly 150 trees this season and outlined fall planting priorities tied to construction-completion zones; the group also discussed a major West Avenue median planting concept and continued limits from staff capacity and budget.
Norwalk City’s Urban Forestry Commission on June 2 reported that spring planting activity exceeded 150 trees, with the commission’s contract plantings combined with crew and green‑workforce efforts producing the bulk of the season’s work. Commissioners said some new requests will be deferred to fall planting because of heat, staff capacity and budget constraints.
The commission discussed program details and data management. Staff described an online planting-request form connected to ArcGIS that maps applications, and members flagged gaps between the mapped data and the commission’s internal spreadsheet used for inventory and invoicing. Commissioners asked staff to inventory construction-completion areas (including Flax Hill and sections of Arbor Drive) so the fall planting list can piggyback on city capital work and maximize planting in ready strips.
Commissioners and staff debated species mix and planting goals. Members noted many front‑yard requests are for smaller ornamental trees (serviceberry, crab apple, cherries) while the commission’s priority is expanding canopy cover with larger shade species when site conditions permit. The group agreed to refine species guidance and to include guidance about overhead wires, planting strip widths and long‑term maintenance in outreach materials.
On West Avenue, commission members described a roughly 1,400‑foot corridor with generous medians and plantable street spaces. Staff said some medians are paved and others are rock‑planted but that several wide strips could accommodate street trees without large-scale pavement removal. The commission asked staff to prepare a planting concept for review at the next meeting and to coordinate with engineering and maintenance to confirm ongoing watering and care responsibilities.
The commission also reiterated a need to prioritize fall plantings against competing projects and limited budget; members asked for a prioritized inventory and cost estimates to bring back for the July meeting.
The commission adjourned after agreeing to follow up on the fall‑planting inventory and the West Avenue concept.
