Do you have one of Verona’s great trees in your yard? The Verona Environmental Commission is looking to expand its Treasured Tree program this summer. This program recognizes beautiful, mature trees and the homeowners who care for them. Inclusion in the Treasured Tree program does not preclude a homeowner from caring for a tree, should it be damaged or become diseased. Homeowners whose trees are designated as Treasured Trees receive a plaque from the commission that they may display on their tree.
Verona’s first Treasured Tree for 2010 was a large horse chestnut located on 10 South Prospect Street just few steps from Bloomfield Avenue. This deciduous tree, native to the Balkan mountains in southeast Europe is also known as a conker tree. Its white flowers are the symbol of Kiev, capital of Ukraine. In spring the tree produces green fruits containing nut-like seeds called conkers. The nuts are not edible but children in Britain and Ireland use them to play a popular game called Conkers. Horse chestnuts can also be used as beads to make jewelry. A famous specimen was the Anne Frank Tree, located in the center of Amsterdam. The VEC also recognized a scarlet oak at 44 Mountain Road and a willow oak at 66 Oakridge Road as Treasured Trees last year.
If you would like to nominate a tree, please e-mail the VEC at [email protected]. You can see pictures and the location of all Treasured Trees in Verona on the VEC’s Web site.
