Post-Sandy tree planting program hits benchmark

Nearly 100,000 trees were distributed in areas of New Jersey that saw significant deforestation from superstorm Sandy, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Abbie Eisenhart, who manages the conservation group's Community Tree Recovery program, said 99,812 tree seedlings were given out at 97 distribution events, including 20 in Monmouth and Ocean counties, last year. The foundation anticipates handing out approximately that many trees every year in the state through 2018.

A spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said the the number of trees lost during the storm was unknown. So many trees were toppled over that the state expanded the longstanding Homeowners Firewood Program to include state park areas with trees downed by Sandy.

Eisenhart thought the loss could be in the millions. Whatever the exact number is those trees would be missed for their environmental benefits and for more personal reasons, she said.

"You see that tree you always grew up climbing in your mother's or grandma's back yard and when those trees are lost that creates a void," she said.

The Sandy relief package passed by Congress in early 2013 set aside $23 million for the restoration of non-industrial private forests. More than 200 in New Jersey applied to get technical assistance on clearing out damaged trees and repopulating their woodlands.

For many New Jerseyans though, today is still about getting the essentials of life back in order.

"When those basic needs are met people start to realize that they'd like those trees back and that's what we want to do — help them get those trees," she said.

For more information on the New Jersey Community Tree Recovery program visit arborday.org.