Crystal Wessel – New Jersey Tree Foundation

Program Assistant Job Opening (Newark/North Jersey)

Crystal Wessel Uncategorized September 1, 2021September 1, 2021

The NJ Tree Foundation is seeking 1-2 Program Assistants for its Renaissance Trees Program. The Program Assistant will work directly with the NJ Tree Foundation’s Program Director to implement community-based tree planting projects in Newark and other cities during the fall of 2021 (October-November). Several plantings will be held on Saturdays.

The job is part-time at 3-4/hours per planting day, including travel time to the planting site, and will pay $15/hour. The job will start in October and finish in November. Potential total hours for the Fall 2021 season is approximately 25-30 hours.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Program Assistant will be responsible for traveling to and from the site. Work locations will vary throughout Newark and nearby cities, and be provided to the Program Assistant in advance. The primary duties of the Program Assistant is to meet the Program Director at the planting site at 8AM or earlier to assist with offloading and placing trees, assisting with the planting demonstration, and supervising volunteers. The Program Assistant must have their own transportation. Examples of duties in the field include:

Offloading 12-15’ trees (Up to 600 lbs)
Digging holes
Planting trees
Laying mulch
Coordinating volunteers

The Program Assistant will be required to ensure volunteers are following all COVID-19 protocols that the NJ Tree Foundation has implemented to protect staff and volunteers. This includes wearing a mask at all times, practicing social distancing where possible, sanitizing hands, and using clean gloves. The Program Assistant will also be expected to follow these protocols as well, and will assist with distributing masks and gloves, if necessary, and sanitizing tools at the end of the planting.

Required Skills and Experience

The NJ Tree Foundation is seeking a hard working and reliable individual that enjoys working outside, coordinating community projects, and can manage volunteers. The applicant must work well with diverse populations, have an interest in tree planting, landscaping, and/or environmental work, and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in all they do. Previous tree planting experience is helpful but not required.

How to Apply

Please send a resume to Crystal Wessel via email at cwessel@njtreefoundation.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Questions can be directed to Crystal at (609) 439-1755.

More about the NJ Tree Foundation

The NJ Tree Foundation is a state-wide non-profit organization dedicated to planting trees in New Jersey’s most urban communities, where the need is the greatest. Since 2006, the NJ Tree Foundation has been planting trees in the City of Newark through its Renaissance Trees Program. The Program’s mission is two-fold: to improve the environment of inner-city neighborhoods while empowering Newark residents to make positive changes in their own communities. For more information, please visit www.njtrees.org, www.facebook.com/NJTrees, or www.twitter.com/NJTrees.

TreeKeeper’s Workshop 2021

Crystal Wessel Education, Uncategorized June 21, 2021June 25, 2021

Are you looking to learn all about trees and how to care for them? If so, please join us for our virtual TreeKeeper’s workshop! TreeKeeper’s teaches attendees all about tree identification, environmental benefits of trees, and proper pruning and mulching techniques. This year’s workshop will be a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Three Zoom sessions will each cover a different topic, and following this will be in-person events where participants will get hands-on experience pruning young trees. Please feel free to attend whichever sessions interest you or work for your schedule. 1 CEU credit will be awarded for each session that is attended live, as well as the pruning events. Please see below for the schedule, and follow the links to register.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Crystal Wessel Uncategorized January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

Looking for a way to dispose of your Christmas tree now that the holidays are over? Many towns and counties will collect the trees if left in front of your house; check with your local municipality to find out if there are specific restrictions or pickup times. Generally, trees collected by municipalities are chipped and then used as mulch where needed. For those of you who do not have access to curbside pickup, you may be able to drop off your tree at a specific location – Ocean County Parks is collecting Christmas trees through January 31st to be chipped and mulched for use throughout the parks. Read on for more ideas on how to dispose of or recycle your tree!

Pest Alert: Oak Shothole Leafminer

Crystal Wessel Uncategorized September 9, 2020September 9, 2020

If you’ve noticed small holes in the leaves of your oak tree this season, it may be due to a pest called the Oak Shothole Leafminer (Japanagromyza viridula). While this pest, which is actually a small fly, is native to New Jersey and has natural predators, there are occasionally large outbreaks that can lead to widespread oak tree damage. The fly is becoming more common throughout New Jersey and the New Jersey DEP is currently tracking outbreaks of the pest. What exactly is the Shothole Leafminer, and how does it affect oak trees? Read on to find out!

Food Forests – A Solution to Food Insecurity?

Crystal Wessel Uncategorized July 31, 2020July 31, 2020

If you’re involved in the world of trees and horticulture, you may have heard the word ‘food forest’ tossed around recently. Many areas of the country, including 134 locations in New Jersey, are considered ‘food deserts’ – places where at least 30% of the population is one mile or more away from a supermarket or place to purchase fresh food. Food forests have become increasingly popular as a solution to food deserts and insecurity, and come with a slew of environmental benefits as well. So, what exactly is a food forest? Read on to find out!

Tree Crimes Part 2

Crystal Wessel Bad Landscaping, Education, Hazardous Trees July 16, 2020July 17, 2020

Tree crimes part two covers weed-wacker damage, forgetful tree planters and stakers, tree topping, and one crime that may not be a crime. If you would like to prevent tree crimes, please hire caring landscapers & tree planters with experience!

Unexpected Pollinator Tree: Lindens!

Crystal Wessel Education June 26, 2020June 26, 2020

When we think of planting for pollinators, butterfly gardens filled with blooming shrubs and flowers come to mind. If we think of trees at all, it’s typically smaller ornamental species such as dogwoods and serviceberries. However, larger shade trees can play an important role as well, providing food for pollinators along with increased environmental benefits such as stormwater and pollution absorption. Linden trees thrive in New Jersey, and are a great option as a pollinator-friendly shade tree. Learn more about Lindens here!

Hattie Carthan: The ‘Tree Lady of Brooklyn’

Crystal Wessel Success Stories June 18, 2020June 18, 2020

If you don’t know who Hattie Carthan is yet, you should! As we celebrate Juneteenth, it’s important to remember the role that Black Americans have had in shaping environmentalism. Hattie Carthan, known as the ‘Tree Lady of Brooklyn’, lived in the New York City neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant since the 1920’s. In the 1960’s she realized that her neighborhood had completely deteriorated and lost its trees, thanks to the blockbusting and redlining practices that took place in Bed-Stuy. A lifelong lover of trees, Hattie decided she was going to do something about it.

All About Anthracnose!

Crystal Wessel Education, Tree Care June 12, 2020June 12, 2020

Spring is here, and your trees are finally leafing out for the year – but wait, what are those blotches on the leaves? Why are some of the leaves becoming distorted and curled, and even falling from the tree? Leaves aren’t supposed to drop until the fall! When people see their tree exhibiting these symptoms, it’s naturally a cause for concern, leaving tree owners worrying that their tree may be severely diseased or dying. One of the most common reasons for mottled or falling leaves is anthracnose, a fungal disease. While the symptoms seem bad, anthracnose is actually not as dangerous as one would think! Read on to find out more about this common shade tree affliction.

Tree Invaders: Norway Maple

Crystal Wessel Bad Landscaping June 5, 2020June 5, 2020

Maples are an extremely common tree throughout New Jersey, on streets and in parks and forests. There are seven different species of maples native to the state, so you have plenty of options if you are looking to add a native maple tree to your yard. When selecting a maple, however, be careful! There’s one species that’s not only non-native, but is invasive! Norway Maples are hardy and have been frequently planted as street trees throughout the state, but they have a tendency to spread easily and crowd out other plants. Read on to find out everything wrong with Norway Maples, and how they came to New Jersey in the first place!

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