The decision was jointly reached by city Public Works officials in consultation with the Shade Tree Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Plainfield Garden Club. Yews live for hundreds of years and can tolerate hard cutback.
To soften the look and provide color during the transition, Shade Tree Commissioner Tim Kirby told Plaintalker, a low hedge of Knockout Roses paired with Coreopsis will be planted. Knockout Roses as described here do not need a lot of maintenance and have a long flowering season.
The trimming revealed the wrought iron fence that was hidden by the ungainly, old hedge. Bluestone will be installed along the sides of the brick plaza as part of the renovation.
--Bernice
The Shade Tree Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission wanted more of the woody structure of these yews left intact. The pruning done was severe. We are still hopeful they will spring back. When the bluestone and the new plantings are added, the harsh image above should be softened.
ReplyDeleteThe Plainfield Garden Club was not involved in the negotiations with City Hall, but the co-President Susan Fraser suggested we speak with Bruce Crawford, the Director of Rutgers Gardens. Bruce confirmed what our own research indicated; yews can take a hard pruning and regenerate.
Tim Kirby
Shade Tree Commission
I had envisioned more being left, but if it ends up creating new vibrant growth ... Excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt so nice to see some things in Plainfield simply get done.
If only the Democrats could put their big girl panties on and work half as efficiently and effectively we'd have a bustling little city.
If the simple act of trimming the yews result in these shrubs dying and having to be replaced by whatever, it is the crowning glory of the incompetence of this administration. The people whose job it is (who get paid for) and assuming who have the knowledge and skills to know the correct procedure to trim a tree, cannot even get that right.
ReplyDeleteThis administration is the poster child for incompetence and failure.