The unnecessary removal of healthy trees is changing the aesthetics and health of our neighborhood.  Trees provide a canopy for wildlife, which is essential for the biodiversity of our environment.  They also help to block electromagnetic frequencies and provide a natural filter for the air we breathe. Trees absorb water with their deep roots, which helps prevent flooding. And they also help to conserve energy by cooling in the summer, and warming in the winter by providing natural windbreak.

In the Town of Hempstead, over the last few years, many historic and HEALTHY trees are taken down by homeowners and builders who are clearing lots for new homes. Trees are also being over-trimmed, removing entire under canopies and creating something that doesn’t even resemble a tree. This over-trimming can weaken our trees and lead to instability which can then cause them to fall and lose branches in storms. Less native trees are being replanted and replaced by mostly ornamental non-native trees replace them.

We would like the Town of Hempstead to institute a Tree Preservation Ordinance to make it more difficult to indiscriminately cut down or clear cut native canopy trees on properties considering the significant environmental impact that it causes.  This will be enforced with permits/fines and requiring either the replanting of a native tree or to pay into a fund to plant a native tree elsewhere within the Township. Tax incentives for planting a native tree may be offered. The Towns of North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Huntington and many others LI towns have similar tree ordinances.