Tree lovers in Montclair, and everyone else for that matter, will be happy to hear that our leafy green town finally has appointed Stephen Shuckman as town arborist...and Shuckman has the undisputable credentials. The town's been without an arborist for months following Kevin Ward's resignation. Town Manager Joe Hartnett announced the news, to the delight of volunteers at Montclair's Environmental Commission. Carey Africk, a member of the EC and a Master Gardener writes:
Mr. Hartnett is to be congratulated for this proactive appointment.The hiring of Steve Schuckman is a feather in the town's cap. It is no secret that Steve is widely respected at all levels within the state, from the certifying agencies, to Rutgers, to industry, and to the Master Gardeners including myself.
I think Steve proves himself every day in the surrounding communities, including Glen Ridge where he has brought professionalism and excellence. He understands planting care and requirements and has helped put together a vision for that Town...And he has brought "thinking outside the box" by obtaining grants, and low cost solutions thus achieving major savings for "his" communities.
EC co-chairman William Dunnel adds:
"This is a good thing. We on the environmental commission have been pushing town management to consider hiring an outside qualified CTE to replace Ward for some time now and to more proactively address the town's shade tree issues. We are currently looking for candidates to fill his [Africk's} soon-to-be-vacant position as alternate commissioner, but his will be big shoes to fill."
...Shuckman is also known to some Bloomfielders for making tough tree-toppling decisions.
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Comments (25)
I didn't realize folks still thought "Outside the Box".
I'm sure he's a real "people person" and I wish him well!!!
(Can someone tell me though, on a practical level, what the Town arborist does?)
He gets all proactive about trees.
Congratulations to Mr. Schuckman.
Montclair has lost a number of old trees in recent weeks due to the severe summer storms and high winds. Let's hope Mr. Schuckman moves quickly to replace downed trees along our streets and in some of our town parks.
And wouldn't it be nice to plant some chestnut trees on Chestnut Street, elm trees on Elm Street, walnut trees on Walnut Street, etc? Many new blight-resistant strains are being developed and Montclair should look into acquiring and planting these new varieties.
What exactly is a Master Gardener? And why does it deserve caps?
Is there a statement from Schuckman on what he plans to do?
*yawn*
"What exactly is a Master Gardener? And why does it deserve caps?"
I agree. I'm certainly a master of at least one activity I can recall, and I'd never be as presumptuous as to use capital letters.
Master Gardener is a state certification. In NJ, it is awarded by Rutgers University. Many, if not most, states have the certification.
There's a one year course of study, testing, and field work. It also requires an initial 100 hours of volunteer time, with continuing education and volunteer requirements.
But what does the guy do?
I might not have a problem with it-- I just don't know what he does...
(But then again, I'm sure most of the folks working or the town have jobs I've never heard of.....)
Found on the township website, one of the duties of the arborist.
Anyone know why the Town is cutting down a whole slew of trees on Lorraine? The ones that are going have pink dots.
Terra - I've heard the town is paving the street and adding belgian block.
Give Steve a break....he was here during the late 80's and 90's and did a great job. At the very least, there was a ton of planting done around town when he was in charge......
Prof here is a general guide if you're thinking of changing careers, but to answer your question this is what a town arborist really does.
There are two seperate links that looked fine in preview (???), just use "this" as the start of the second.
Schuckman's reputation proceeds him, he's done wonderful work in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge and Cedar Grove.
This from the Bloomfield "Buzz"
"Schuckman is the guardian of
Bloomfield?s tree stock and works under the authority of the Engineering Department. ?The stock has to be maintained,? he says. ?If you don?t, they?ll die or will be in such bad shape they have to be taken down.?
He spends one day a week surveying Bloomfield?s trees on Township streets, parks and any public lands.
?We try to maintain no net loss. If trees are removed because they?re dead or diseased, ?we replace them
with the same or a greater number of trees.?
Through the Township?s ?Plant a Tree Program,? residents can call Engineering to request a curbside planting."
WOW, a town that actually cuts down dead trees and surveys the living to see which trees need help or are diseased. Schuckman's gonna have to work a lot of hours in Montclair to catch up on tree maint! We welcome him and his expertise.
Thanks Pokey!!!!
Now I know.
(He's a tree-whisperer.....)
And joeyhairnet and Montclair.Mommy, settle down-- no one is making fun of dear Schuckman--- asking what the position does is certainly NOT making fun of the guy.
Now if he wears a funny hat and "speaks" to the trees, I will make fun of him.
who said you were making fun - you were just showing your ignorance
Montclair.Mommy,
joeyhairnet said: "Give Steve a break," you then added that his "reputation proceeds him..."
When all I asked what what the "town arborist" did.
And rather than get all upset, perhaps notice that I never said the guys name, just the job position.
So if I showed my ignorance by asking what the town arborist does-- whatever......
Prof Looney tunes,
My post did had nothing to do with the hairnet's post.
I never tried to answer what an arborist does- you can look that up on line as far as I'm concerned. I posted an article from the Bloomfield Buzz about Schuckman.
Then you told me "settle down-- no one is making fun of dear Schuckman".
I never said that you were!
Maybe remedial reading is indicated.
I spoke with Schuckman at least 3 times about having trees planted on my street in Bloomfield. He promised plantings in the Spring...never happened.
I found out there is a meeting between the residents of Lorraine, Steve Schuckman and Kim Craft, Township Project Engineer @ 8am @ 203 Lorraine Avenue. If anyone is interested in preventing, or reducing the amount of trees -- 14 are pinkdotted -- that are supposed to be removed, please show your support.
Thanks Montclair.Mommy,
I'll look to see if the Montclair Adult School has a class in ignorance and remedial reading.
**I found out there is a meeting between the residents of Lorraine, Steve Schuckman and Kim Craft, Township Project Engineer @ 8am @ 203 Lorraine Avenue. If anyone is interested in preventing, or reducing the amount of trees -- 14 are pinkdotted -- that are supposed to be removed, please show your support.**
How were the residents notified of this meeting? I am a resident of this block and didn't know about it. One morning last week I came out of my house to find a man banging on one of the trees on my property border and some people standing a few doors down on the sidewalk--when I asked if something was the matter with my tree he just said "I'm just talking to [your neighbor] about her trees." At no point did anyone say this was a town employee looking at all the trees on the block. Was this announced at the curbing meeting I couldn't make? It would have been nice if he'd introduced himself and told me what was going on.
"I'll look to see if the Montclair Adult School has a class in ignorance and remedial reading.
Posted by profwilliams | July 2, 2008 2:48 PM "
No No Prof- you're already an expert at thos things!