Trees for Tribs
A Program of the State Tree Nursery at Saratoga
Example of treed buffer along a river
Modeled after the successful Hudson River Estuary "Trees for Tribs" program, New York State's Trees for Tribs program engages volunteers in restoring thousands of feet of streamside buffer through tree planting using native bare-root stock from the Saratoga State Tree Nursery. The program provides land owners and local governments with low-cost or no-cost native planting materials and free technical assistance. Coordinating with local, federal and state agencies, Trees for Tribs focuses on comprehensive watershed restoration designed to protect the "green infrastructure," the first line of defense against storm and flooding events, as well as property, water quality, fish and wildlife. Trees for Tribs promotes best management practices for communities and encourage new programs, policies and investments in tributary protection.
DEC's "Trees for Tribs" Initiative (tribs as in tributaries) offers free native trees and shrubs for qualifying riparian buffer planting/ restoration projects. Trees for Tribs Coordinators can assist with plant selection, designing a planting plan, and other technical information to improve the odds of success for your project.
Application deadlines are: March 1 for Spring and August 1 for Fall. Reserving plants early is advisable (applications are accepted after deadlines, but are at a disadvantage).
Applications will be filled according to the following priorities:
- Local non-profit watershed groups, land trusts, and other environmental organizations will be given preference.
- Project sites located in high profile, public or highly visible areas, such as town parks or adjacent to roads will be given preference.
- Sorry, plants are not available for:
- large projects where proposals should have included buffer restoration costs from the outset, particularly projects involving channel realignment or other major excavation work
- new sites enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Species available:
Native tree and shrub species are supplied at no or low cost from DEC's State Tree Nursery in Saratoga. Species planting will be determined on a project by project basis depending on existing conditions. Additional species/plants are available for purchase at the State Nursery's web page. Bareroot tree seedlings are used in the spring. Containerized plugs are typically used for fall plantings.
Calendar of Events:
July 1, 2012 - Fall planting Application period begins (Mohawk, Champlain, Susquehanna)
January 14, 2013 - Hudson River Estuary Program Trees for Tribs application period begins for Spring 2013
February 11, 2013 - Statewide Trees for Tribs application period begins for Spring 2013
March 1, 2013 - Spring deadline
Where is Trees for Tribs offered?
Funding for the Trees for Tribs program is currently available in the watersheds highlighted in the map to the right. Program offerings may vary slightly based on location and staff availability. Expansion to the Mohawk River Watershed debuts in Fall 2012. Great Lakes Basin Trees for Tribs is anticipated in 2013.
Our Statewide Partners:
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - New York
- USDA Forest Service Chesapeake Bay Program
- Treecycler
- The Restoration Tree Trust
- Hudson River Estuary Program
- Upper Susquehanna Coalition
- Au Sable River Association
- Mohawk River Basin Program
More about Trees for Tribs:
- Lake Champlain Basin Trees for Tribs - A program of the State Tree Nursery at Saratoga to protect water quality, wildlife habitat, and the land and people from flooding
