impractical because of the depth of
leaf litter that has accumulated over
the years.
The topic of the much-loved London plane trees overhanging Route 9 along the border of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and the pernicious vines attacking them is one we have tackled before in River Journal. But concerned citizens, protective of this alley and its appearance to the village’s many visitors, continue to reach out to the village and to us, and one recent email from a local resident raised ongoing perceived shortcomings in the maintenance of the trees.
So, we reached out to Kevin Smith, superintendent of the Department of Public Works, and Village Arborist Peter Strom, with the citizens’ queries and here is the dialogue, which may help answer and allay similar concerns shared by other village residents.
Concerned Citizen [CC]: Vine removal started in January but only completed a small section. Is there a concrete plan and timeline to complete the entire Route 9 tree line this winter?
Kevin Smith/Peter Strom [KS/PS]: The vines on the trees are cut annually during the winter months, as work schedules and weather conditions permit. English ivy, which is the most impactful of the invasive vines growing in the area, is managed along with the other invasive and native vines growing on the trees. We will continue this annual winter maintenance.
CC: What is the ongoing strategy to keep the invasive vines from growing back once cleared? Will this be an annual cleanup in the winter?
KS/PS: Yes. Vine removal is an annual winter maintenance activity.
CC: Do you plan to clear the accumulated underbrush and lay down wood chips/mulch as outlined in previous maintenance discussions?
KS/PS: Complete removal of the vines is impractical because of the depth of leaf litter that has accumulated over the years. The area is cemetery property, and maintenance beyond the work we perform on the trees and vines would be the responsibility of the cemetery.
Developing the area into a walkable path or otherwise improving it to the level of Statue Island [The island south of the cemetery entrance at Route 9 and Old Broadway where the Horseman Statue is located. It was renovated a few years ago.] is outside the purview of DPW and would require coordination and agreement among multiple organizations and stakeholders.
CC: What is the actual work schedule?
KS/PS: The vines on the trees will be removed during the winter months, as weather and the DPW work schedule permit.
CC: Are you receiving budget restrictions from the current administration that are keeping you from putting hours toward the project?
KS/PS: No.
CC: What are the Village Arborist’s and DPW’s roles in keeping the trees healthy?
KS/PS: The Village Arborist advises DPW on trees that require pruning or removal. DPW regularly prunes trees throughout the year. DPW does not have the personnel to perform pruning on larger trees, so, when necessary, that work is performed by a contractor.
Sleepy Hollow also has a Tree Commission which takes pride in the village as an urban forest, and the London planes as a gateway to the community. It’s clear that attention is focused on these trees, both by the village and its inhabitants, but if readers have further questions or concerns, we are happy to hear them.
