In collaboration with the City of Hudson’s Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) and Arborist Miguel Berrios, FOPS has collected an inventory of the Park’s trees.

There are 22 trees currently residing in the Public Square with 5 types prevalent:

  • 2 Honey Locusts (Gleditisia triancanthos)

    • Native from Pennsylvania to Iowa, south to Georgia and Texas.

  • 9 Norway maples (Acer platanoides)

    • Not native to US: comes from eastern and central Europe and western Asia, from Spain east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran.

    • It was introduced to North America in the mid-1700s as a shade tree.

  • 7 Silver maples (Acer saccharinum)

    • Native to the eastern and central United States and southeastern Canada.

    • It is one of the most common trees in the United States.

  • 1 Blue spruce (Picea pungens)

    • Primarily native to the central and southern Rocky Mountains of the western United States.

  • 3 Crimson King Norway Maples (Acer platanoides “Crimson King”)

    • Not native to US 12 of the 22 trees are non-native maples.

Pin Oak quercus palustris, A Northeast Native Species

image courtesy of Tree Montgomery

None of the Park’s existing trees are native to the Northeast.

Through our upcoming work, FOPS plans to remediate the 10 trees highlighted that are in need of attention.

Initial steps include:

1: Routine maintenance (Moderate risk); Crown cleaning; Fresh branch scar. Prune off building fire escape and all dead wood

2: Routine maintenance (Moderate risk); Crown cleaning; Clean out dead wood. Has some rot at root collar stem base

3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10: Routine maintenance (Moderate risk); Crown cleaning.

7: Critical concern (Public Safety); Remove; Nearly dead obvious tree

8: Routine maintenance (Moderate risk) Crown reduction

In addition to the routine maintenance, FOPS recommended that DPW remove #7, a Norway Maple which is nearly dead and of critical concern. DPW has agreeed. Trees in this state are a public safety hazard due to falling branches and debris. Norway Maples are known to be invasive species and are not recommended to be planted. The NYS DEC recommends “to plant alternative tree species that are native to this region to prevent further spread of Norway maple.” (NYS DEC)

Any and all trees removed will be replaced with a mix of native species.

If you have any questions about the trees and the Park’s future plantings, please attend our upcoming Community Engagement Event, fill out our survey, or email us at fopshudson@gmail.com

Special thanks to the City of Hudson’s Conservation Advisory Council and Arborist Miguel Berrios for creating this invaluable citywide GIS map.

An interactive map of the City of Hudson’s Street and Park Trees can be found below:

This incredible resource was created by Berrios who was hired by the City to do a complete Tree inventory thanks to a grant from the New York State Department of Conservation Division of Urban Forestry.