LEWISTON-AUBURN — The Lewiston-Auburn Community Forest Board has achieved Tree City USA recognition for Lewiston and Auburn from the National Arbor Day Association and Maine Department of Conservation’s Maine Forest Service for the ninth year. The awards were presented during Maine Arbor Week at a celebration on May 22 at the Longfellow Elementary School in Portland. LACFB chairman Jay Braunscheidel and other board members attended the event that featured Maine Department of Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley.

Tree City USA has been established in Maine for 35 years. Eighteen cities and towns were recognized. Farmington, Kennebunkport and Westbrook have been in the program since its inception in Maine. Tree City USA recognizes municipalities that have programs to promote effective care of urban forests and street trees through policy development, planning and education.

The Community Forest Board was formed in February 2000 by a joint resolution of the Lewiston and Auburn City Councils. There are nine volunteer members representing both cities. The board is unique in Maine as it serves two municipalities.

The Forest Board recently updated its 5 Year Strategic Plan. Priority goals include the following:

The board will work to implement Forest Management Plans written in 2009 for Auburn City and School Department woodlots, and in 2010 for Lewiston City woodlots. Efforts are under way to raise awareness of the opportunities the forest management plans present.

Passing the Community Forest Ordinance developed by the Forest Board over the last several years is a priority. The proposed ordinance was developed after a lengthy review of state statues and community forest ordinances established in other cities and towns. The proposed ordinance will formalize procedures to enhance and protect street trees and the community forest. Discussions are underway with Lewiston and Auburn officials.

The board will support planting street trees by developing 50:50 programs with landowners. Lewiston City Arborist Steve Murch has an established program. The 50:50 tree planting program exists for homeowners who wish to purchase a tree from the City of Lewiston for $100. The guidelines are: the tree must be visible from the road and the city arborist and the homeowner agree on a suitable species and location consistent with the interests of the homeowner. A 2.5 inch diameter tree will be delivered and planted by the City of Lewiston Parks and Cemeteries crew, then mulched and staked if necessary. The homeowner’s only responsibility is to water as directed by the city arborist. There is no limit to the number of trees which may be purchased through this program. The Forest Board plans to apply for Maine Forest Service Project Canopy grants to extend the 50:50 planting program to Auburn in the fall. Over the years, more than 100 street trees have been planted in the Twin Cities through 50:50 programs.

The Forest Board plans to become a resource for the Bates Canal Revival Project, with focus on tree planting and species selection.

For more information about Forest Board activities, membership and the strategic plan, consult the Lewiston or Auburn city websites, or contact Braunscheidel.