October 2018

Atlantic States Legal Foundation (ASLF) believes in the power of green. Our staff is deeply engaged in the expansion and maintenance of the urban tree canopy and rural reforestation in our region. Communities reap real economic, environmental, and emotional benefits from trees and other greenery. These benefits are magnified when native species are used, because native plants are more adaptable to local climate, outperform non-natives in supporting local fauna, and provide better ecosystem services. ASLF is working to expand access to genetically local native species through its Mother Tree program.

Through this program, now in its third year, ASLF identifies potential Mother Trees by species, size, and age. We look for hardy stock of the species of interest, which were planted or naturally established decades ago before commercial cultivars were widely available. Once potential Mother Trees are identified, they are entered into our database and tracked. In the fall, staff and community partners collect seeds and send them to our project partner, Forest Keeling Nursery in Missouri, which propagates the seeds and grows Mother Tree seedlings using its patented Root Production Method (RPM) technology. Together, we are building an inventory of trees genetically local to Syracuse and central New York, which will be available for reforestation, restoration and urban forestry projects.

Most of the Mother Trees identified so far are located on public property in the City of Syracuse, and seeds are collected with the permission and assistance of city government. To expand our Mother Tree “stock,” we are looking for older, healthy, large trees whose native range includes central New York and which are located where seed collection is permissible and possible.
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If you are in the Syracuse area and have a Mother Tree candidate, please contact us with a photo and species information, if available. Once we confirm the species and age, your tree may become part of our project. Together, we can work toward the rebirth of our native tree canopy in Syracuse and Central New York – a gift from the Mother Tree.
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