Travelers on Route 259 in Spencerport village may have already noticed that there is a new 25' White Spruce towering majestically next to the Erie Canal near the gazebo. The tree that previously stood in this spot had declined in health in recent years and had to be removed. Both the previous tree and the new one were grown and then donated to the Village by lifelong resident, Joe Reinschmidt of Ogden-Parma Town Line Road. Several years ago, a tree stood in the Village Plaza near the HSBC Bank (then Marine Midland). This tree was regularly decorated for the holidays but as it got older and bigger, it was apparent it was much too large for the location; it had to be removed. Village officials wanted a tree that could be used for the holidays but wanted it planted near the Clyde Carter Memorial Gazebo near the Erie Canal. Officials approached Tim Carr, of Cardinal Landscape, and asked him to find an appropriate tree. Tim happened to mention his search to Joe Reinschmidt. "I had several trees on my property that I had planted some time ago with the intention of selling them as Christmas trees, but they got too big too quick. They were all just sitting out on the property," Joe said. He offered to let Tim take a look at the trees and a suitable one was found. The tree did really well at first but over the past two years it began to show signs of sickness. Tom West, Village of Spencerport Department of Public Works superintendent, says he suspects that the snow removal is what has contributed to the quick demise of the tree. "When the roads are plowed, the snow is pushed into the parking lot and then dumped in the canal. That snow is loaded with salt. I'm certain it's what killed the tree." West once again contacted Tim Carr, and Tim called Reinschmidt and asked if he could take a look at his trees once more. Joe made the decision to donate the tree to the village. "I felt it was my way of giving back to a community that has been good to me and my family," Reinschmidt said. Joe's family has lived on the same piece of property, on Ogden-Parma Town Line Road for over 75 years. He and his wife built their first home on his parents' land. Recently, he and his wife moved out of that home and into the home his parents built in 1929. Reinschmidt's grown son and his family moved into Joe's house. "I guess you could say we've been here for several generations," Joe said. "I love this community and I'm pleased to be able to give this tree to the village." Cardinal Landscape was paid for transplanting of the tree. "The Village saved over $1,000 with the tree donation and having Cardinal Landscape handle the transplanting." West said. He also assured that everything is being done to protect the soil around the tree. A large quantity of the old soil was removed before planting the new tree and efforts will be made to keep salt away from this new soil and tree in the future. |
