Test Tree Steward Awards

In recognition of a Tree Warden who has significantly advanced the goals of urban and community forestry through successful forestry practices, effective conservation planning, increased citizen engagement, and active public education. This award is in honor of Dr. Larry Hamilton, the former Tree Warden in Charlotte, and is limited to Tree Wardens.

It is an honor to support the nomination of Paul Wieczoreck for the Hamilton Tree Steward Award. I have had the privilege of working with Paul for over 30 years on numerous community environmental projects. Whether planting trees in Hinesburg village, evaluating forest land for conservation, or identifying important trees for their habitat value Paul’s extensive knowledge of all things natural and ability to teach others has been an enormous benefit to Hinesburg’s human and natural communities.

For over 20 years Paul has served in the official capacity as Tree Warden, appointed each year enthusiastically by the select board. As tree warden with a practical common sense approach and years of professional horticultural expertise he has guided the removal of hazard trees, found ways to satisfy the need to widen town roads and keep the trees, selected the street trees to be planted on public land and, advised the Planning Commission and Development Review Board on the appropriate soil, space and species requirements in the development of regulations and during the review process of major subdivision applications. With Support from the Urban and Community Forestry Program he has lead the Public Tree and Ash Inventory.

Spring is a very busy time for all gardeners and especially nursery and landscape professionals but Paul is aways available for Green Up Day a celebrated town holiday. This special day that brings a diverse group of people together to not only pick up trash, weed and mulch as needed the trees along sidewalks and town buildings and to PLANT more TREES. Volunteers are always eager to do the planting projects that Paul has envisioned for the yearly event. There is often completion among the volunteers as to who can work on Paul’s crew to benefit from his expert knowledge about how to plant and the particularities of the species that is being planted that day.

For over 40 years town residents had sought to plant trees in Memorial Park to create shade and slow traffic on RT 116 in Hinesburg Village. The Village Steering Committee (VSC) was finally able to resolve the longstanding debate over the extent of the Right of Way and safety concerns of the VT Agency of Transportation about the value of trees in this location. During this process Paul was consulted by the VSC and when permission was finally obtained Paul lead the work of planting the large trees.

In the fall Paul gathers a crew of volunteers to inspect and prune any trees that may likely be damaged by the sidewalk plowing snow. This is again an opportunity for volunteers to learn from Paul get tips on what are good pruning tools and in general glean his horticultural knowledge.

Most recently Paul in his capacity as president of the Hinesburg Land Trust conceived of and lead the effort to acquire 291 acres to be added to the Hinesburg Town Forest. With his long term dedication to protecting habitat, knowledge of forests and the importance of maintaining large blocks provided the guidance to oversee this major acquisition and conservation with an easement held by Vermont Land Trust of 1125 acres o ensure that this valuable ecological and recreational asset is conserved permanently for the community.

One rarely sees Paul without pruners on his belt, a saw in his back pocket, soil on his knees and dirt under his finger nails and head cocked listening to the birds. Paul is equally at home planting, pruning, speaking with academics, or debating with other professionals on the values of natives versus cultivars and always mindful of his role as a steward of the landscape. I hope the committee will also recognize Paul’s long term commitment and love of trees and honor him with the Hamilton Award.

An individual who, through services to their community or organization, has shown leadership and dedication in carrying out an urban or community forestry effort. 

In recognition of a practitioner’s leadership in the profession and unique contributions to the field of urban and community forestry.