ReLeaf Medina welcomes donations to plant new trees in village next spring

Photos courtesy of ReLeaf Medina: West Center Street in Medina is one of several tree-lined streets in the village with recently planted trees getting more mature.

MEDINA – Autumn leaves with rich hues of orange, red and yellow lighting up the landscape bring warm thoughts of hot chocolate, flannel and fall fun.

But for others who are in the business of overseeing municipal trees, thoughts turn to planning for spring planting.

The village of Medina has a Municipal Tree Board and a Forestry Coordinator (all volunteer), as well as well-trained DPW personnel, all of whom play a role in planting and maintaining the village’s “urban forest.”

But there is another vital group that works to support those efforts financially: ReLeaf Medina.

ReLeaf Medina was formed a few years back to raise money for the village to replace dying trees – something the Tree Board is not allowed to do.

According to Medina’s Forestry Coordinator, Chris Busch, the cost of plant material has risen exponentially in the past ten years, costing an average of $3,000-plus more per year.

“From the very beginning, the Mayor and Trustees have absolutely been on board and continue to be fully supportive of Medina’s planting program. We are incredibly grateful for the funds they budget annually given that municipal budgets are very, very tight.” said Busch. “In light of that, we’ve had to be creative with supplemental funding solutions.  Thankfully, there are a growing number of citizens who have noticed how amazing our tree-lined streets look and have been happy to support our efforts. Their financial gifts result in a living legacy that will be enjoyed by an entire community for years to come.”

Annually, the Village removes 50-60 trees and replants about 50. Removing dying trees is an unending task and replacing them has become increasingly more costly.

“What used to buy 50 trees now buys 30 or less,” Busch said.

“We continue to plant diversely with a wide variety of trees that are proven urban environments,” said Mary Lewis, Tree Board chair. “We take great care in selecting the right tree for the conditions that exist on any given site. There’s a great deal of urban forestry science that goes into the planning and selection of trees.”

Once again, ReLeaf Medina is asking citizens to contribute to the amazing living legacy of trees by making a monetary gift.

Lewis, a Medina business owner, has also issued an invitation to local businesses to consider becoming a corporate sponsor.

This photo shows trees along Gwinn Street in Medina.

“Several letters were recently sent out to local businesses and we’re hoping they’ll see the benefit of corporate sponsorship,” she said.

ReLeaf Medina states businesses becoming a corporate sponsor not only engage with their employees and investors but also build community through the support of grassroots public environmental stewardship.

“It is a chance to make a tangible difference in a highly visible way that will stand for generations and leave a positive, beneficial living legacy for the future that will be seen every day,” Lewis said.

All gifts to ReLeaf Medina are tax-deductible and can be made in three ways.

As a General Donation, the money helps replace street trees in neighborhoods throughout the village. Suggested amounts are $25 to $199 (Good Citizen); $200 to $299 (Silver); $300 to $499 (Gold); $500 and up (Platinum).

Gifts In Memory cost $300. They will fund trees placed in one of Medina’s six parks and will be identified with a granite marker honoring a loved one or in recognition of the donor’s family or organization. Memorial trees can be located on streets without a granite marker and cost $275.

To designate a tree On Your Street, the cost is $250. If the village determines a tree or trees are needed on that street, the donor may request a specific location.

Checks for tree donations should be made payable to the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. – Notation: ‘ReLeaf Medina’ and mailed to PO Box 543, Medina, NY.

“As you walk or drive around our village this fall and you like what you see and how the beautiful canopy makes you feel, please help us continue planting to make Medina an attractive place to live, work and grow,” Lewis said.