City of Aiken, SC Special Videos, 31 Oct 2020

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From YouTube: Preserving Aiken’s Trees For Future Generations With a Public-Private Initiative

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31 OCT 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Preserving Aiken’s Trees For Future Generations With a Public-Private Initiative

AIKEN, SC – The City of Aiken’s new public-private initiative between the Aiken Streetscapes Foundation, the Aiken Land Conservancy, the City of Aiken, and a private donor, grants the opportunity for Bartlett Tree Experts to begin pruning trees strategically on South Boundary beginning Nov 2. The estimated time of completion is approximately ten days.

Public-private initiatives have long been a part of Aiken’s history. The magnificent live oak trees bordering South Boundary Avenue and the parkways in the city center are just two examples of how Aiken’s leaders, both elected and private citizens, have recognized the need to work together to enhance the natural amenities which make our lovely city so special and attractive today.

The estimated asset value for Aiken’s trees was over $130 million—a sum certainly worth protecting. The City of Aiken, Aiken Streetscapes, and Aiken Land Conservancy are excited about the management plan with Bartlett Tree Experts, who provided the city with a detailed overview and management plan from a comprehensive study in 2017.

Contact:
Aaron Campbell
Horticulturalist
City of Aiken
acampbell@cityofaikensc.gov

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Public private initiatives have long been part of aiken's history.

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The magnificent live oak, trees bordering south boundary avenue and the parkways in the city center are just two examples of how aiken's leaders, both elected and private citizens, have recognized the need to work together to enhance the natural amenities which make our lovely city so special and attractive. Today, a reference in don bozeman's book blackberries in the summer illustrates how in 1904 an initiative by mr henry dibble, together with matching funds approved by mayor julian sally, resulted in one of aiken's. Most iconic views the live oak trees on south boundary.

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Public private goes back to when mr dibble and mr sally actually put the trees on south boundary. We know that our city has incredible trees and we know that they're in good hands, but we just can't afford the city just can't afford to take care of them in the timely manner that they need to be taken care of. So when private citizens step forward and say I want to help, that's that's a really great, a great move. Both.

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Severe weather and utility line trimming have had a significant impact on our trees over the years.

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We're we're all working really hard to preserve the the integrity and the safety of these trees and their long, their longevity without doing utility cuts, and that's the thing we're all afraid of, because we saw it in the last couple years where the utility company comes and just does a straight cut down the road. So it is painful to prune some of these trees. But we fear that if we don't take care of them now that they will not live as long as they possibly could under our stewardship.

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These trees are what make aiken so iconic. Okay, that's why we have hired bartlett bartlett is a very good outstanding tree care company, one of the best, if not the best. In my opinion, these live oaks desperately need care, and we have to be very thankful that we have people like the land conservancy, the aiken streetscapes, that is willing to help help the city work together, so that we can preserve these trees for the future generations. Today,.

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We are proud to announce that a new public private initiative between the aitkin streetscapes foundation, the aiken land, conservancy, the city of aitkin and an aiken resident who wishes to remain anonymous, has given these trees a new opportunity to thrive in 2017, a donation from a naked resident made possible a comprehensive study by the bartlett tree experts company, which generated a detailed overview and management plan for the health and value of all trees on city-owned properties.

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The estimated asset value for aikens trees was over 130 million dollars. A some certainly worth protecting the city of aitkin and aiken streetscapes, together with matching funds, are proud to begin enacting. This new management plan with bartlett tree experts, starting with a program to address, root, nourishment of the trees along south boundary avenue. Nobody.

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Wants to do it, I understand that, but it's got to be done. Fortunately, we've we've worked with bartlett and we've got a good plan to get it taken. Care of, and I think we'll head in the right direction really is a partnership.

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That's borne out of our love for this community and one of our most important assets, if not the most important asset are beautiful. Grand trees.

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The city of again has designated areas throughout the city to continue implementing tree preservation, remedies, including selective pruning removal of dead or at-risk trees and long-term nurturing of root systems. This project will ensure the preservation of against majestic trees for future.

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