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application 2 pages

Also attached to this agenda item: Contract 25-500 Plans A01 22X34 QBR Tree Permit Application - combined QBR-Coastal assessment 2025-Rev-8-2025 safe print QBR - Tree Removal table and plan

2 Winners Circle 518.446.0396 Albany, NY 12205 www.cmellp.com Date: August 14, 2025 To: Village of Croton-on-Hudson Planning Board From: Matthew Hunt, PE cc: Angelo Sgobbo, PE, Director of Design Coordination Project: Quaker Bridge Replacement Re: Response to Tree Size Variation Comment – Quaker Bridge Replacement Landscaping At the August 5, 2025 Planning Board meeting, the Board reviewed Westchester County’s Tree Removal Permit application. This permit covers the removal of 56 trees to facilitate replacement of the Quaker Bridge. As mitigation, the County proposes planting approximately 35 new trees—each 2-inch caliper and 6–8 feet tall— on Village property and providing an additional 44 trees to plant elsewhere in the Village. During the discussion, a Board member raised a valid concern: planting so many trees at identical sizes could give the area an “orchard-like” appearance for an extended period. To address this, our Landscape Architect has provided the attached species growth-rate chart. It shows that slower growers like White Ash and Eastern Hemlock increase in height by about 1–2 feet per year, while faster growers such as American Elm and American Sycamore can add 3–6 feet annually. Thanks to these natural differences, a varied canopy will develop within just one to two years. If the Village prefers greater immediate variation, we can request taller nursery specimens of select species—particularly Tulip and Red Oak—at planting. Westchester County remains committed to working closely with the Village and the design team throughout construction to ensure the new planting achieves a natural, diverse look without a lingering orchard appearance. Growth Rates - Fast to Slow - Quaker Bridge Ulmus americana - American Elm 4-6 feet per year Platnus occidentalis - American Sycamore 3-6 feet per year Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Tree 2-3 feet per year Quercus rubra - Red Oak 2-3 feet per year Betula lenta - Black Birch 1.5-3 feet per year Fraxinus americana - White Ash 1-2 feet per year Tsuga canadensis - Eastern Hemlock 1-2 feet per year Acer saccharum - Sugar Maple 6-12 inches per year Trees Growth Rate Mature Height Quantity Growth Notes 60-80' 75-100' 60-90' 50-75' 40-75' 40-70' 40-70' 40-80' Salix nigra - Black Willow 3-4 feet per year 30-60' 300 live stakes Fast growth rate, they establish  themselves quickly after planting Known for their rapid growth rate, one of  the fastest growing shade trees Fast growth especially in their early years,  allows them to establish quickly Fast growth rate compared to other Oak  species, faster when young Moderate to Fast growing, especially at the  sapling stage Can grow moderately quickly, they also  have a long lifespan (200-250 years) Slow to Moderate growth rate, but can  grow as little as 6" in heavily shaded areas Long-​lived trees that grow relatively slowly.  (Somewhat faster in the first 35 years) Rapid growth rate, establishing roots and  foliage in first season thru live staking Recommended Larger Caliper Trees at Planting