Celebrate Arbor Day: Help “Re-Tree” Ridgewood and Secure Our Green Future
file photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Tomorrow, Friday, April 24, 2026, marks Arbor Day—a day that stands apart from all other holidays. While most celebrations look back at history, Arbor Day looks forward. By planting and caring for trees today, we ensure clean air, cooling shade, and vital habitats for generations of Ridgewood residents to come.
With the clear cutting of hundreds of trees on the Schedler Property , the Village is often accused of doing nothing more than “green washing” in an attempt to “virture signal” a “green furure”. Council actions contue to promote unbrideled development often seen as at odds with the natural environment.
The council claims the Village of Ridgewood is currently on a mission to restore our local tree canopy, which has faced challenges from severe weather and pests. Whether you have a green thumb or just a love for our “Tree City” charm, here are six ways you can get involved right now.
1. Request a Shade Tree for Your Home
After planting 140 trees in 2025, the Village has set an ambitious goal to plant 250 trees in 2026. If you want to contribute to our streetscape, you can request a shade tree to be planted in the right-of-way directly in front of your home.
2. “Adopt a Sapling” in the Ridge School District
The successful Adopt a Sapling program is officially expanding to the Ridge neighborhood! With over 230 saplings already thriving in the Somerville, Orchard, and Willard districts, now is the time for Ridge residents to step up.
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Deadline to Sign Up: May 15, 2026.
3. Pick Up a Free “Whip” this Sunday
Not sure what a “whip” is? It’s a young, slender, unbranched tree—perfect for easy planting. Visit the Shade Tree Commission table at the Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair on Sunday, April 26 (10:30 am – 2:30 pm). They will be giving away Dogwood, Swamp White Oak, and Amelianchier whips while supplies last!
4. Participate in “Mulch Monday”
Trees need more than just soil and water; they need protection. Proper mulching conserves moisture and protects roots. Join the community in the Central Business District (CBD) for Mulch Monday on June 23 at 8:00 am to help maintain our urban forest.
5. Nominate a Local “Heritage Tree”
Did you know a Pin Oak on Hawthorne Place is the largest of its kind in Bergen County? At 195 years old and 64 feet tall, it’s a local legend. If you have a massive or historically significant tree on your property, nominate it for the state registry map to ensure its legacy is documented and honored.
6. Join the Ridgewood Beautification Team (RBT)
For four decades, the RBT has kept our downtown vibrant. You can join the team at Van Neste Square on Saturday, May 16 at 7:45 am for a morning of planting. No experience is necessary—just bring a trowel, some gloves, and a desire to keep Ridgewood beautiful.
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Tags: #RidgewoodNJ #ArborDay2026 #TreeCityUSA #BergenCounty #Sustainability #CommunityService #GreenRidgewood #PlantATree
Nancy look out. Siobhan’s got her arm around you.
These grifters have no shame.
I beg you… please do not plant under power lines. Will eventually cause a problem.
They can’t help themselves. The council lacks proper execution skills. Just common sense …a 3rd grader would know not to plant trees under power lines.
What do you expect from people on a power trip. In our neighborhood every new parking strip tree is on the side of the street with the power lines. You have to be a dap to do it this way