We have come together from all around town sharing our concern for Old Saybrook’s tree canopy. We represent various groups such as; beach associations, Old Saybrook Garden Club, the Conservation Commission and the town Tree Committee and many more. We are retired and working, we are friendly neighbors, we are business reps, students, and active volunteers. Most importantly we recognize the critical value of trees to our collective health and environment.

According to the USDA iTree tool Old Saybrook has the lowest % of tree canopy ( 47% ) as compared to our shoreline neighbors. We have the second lowest in Middlesex County. We have observed that too many trees on public and private lands are being cut down or disfigured due to trimming, development, lack of care and disease. The result is a continual loss of our town’s tree canopy - the layer of leaves, branches and stems that provide shade over our grounds. According to the United States Department of Agriculture iTree measurement tool, Old Saybrook has the lowest % of tree canopy (47%) as compared to our shoreline neighbors and the second lowest in Middlesex County.

So what can we do now ? PLANT TREES !! Per iTree we have over 7,000 acres of plantable land. Increasing our canopy by 10% increases our carbon storage to 20,662 tons; 1,671,681 gallons of avoided storm water runoff and 23,148 pounds of removed air pollution.

We need YOU ! Can you write grants, conduct research , educate, communicate, landscape, share your ideas and enthusiam, help to build our tree canopy ? If so please let us know at sostrees06475@gmail.com or click the Join Our Community link .