To the Editor:

Is there anyone who does not know our Arborist, Greg O’Neil? Greg is leaving us after 16 years. That is sad, but we cannot let him go without recognizing some of the achievements that he has been responsible for since that time.

For those of you who have not had firsthand experience, as the Town Arborist (also juggling myriad responsibilities as assistant director of Public Works), Greg worked with residents to preserve Princeton’s beauty, environment, and the value of our property, by judiciously and pragmatically making decisions regarding tree removal permit requests. Greg has planted and pruned countless trees throughout our town, and has sought to diversify the mix of tree species present.

More recently he has established an allee of Princeton Heritage Elms along the walking path facing the Washington Oak, and has seen to the proper replacement of the Mercer Oak in Battlefield Park. As part of his duties, Greg was also involved in protecting, and preserving where possible, large tracts of trees. His vigilance and ecological common sense helped to preserve a large portion of a wooded area full of American beech on the Princeton Ridge.

Greg implemented a street tree inventory, a valuable tool for the professional management of our trees, which residents can access online. Being a N.J. Certified Tree Expert and certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, Greg’s professional credentials go hand-in-hand with his knowledge about trees and expertise in caring for them.

Over the years, the ordinances that protect our trees were tightened, updated, and passed by Council, then recently amalgamated upon consolidation, all of which was accomplished with Greg’s expert advice and recommendations. The ordinance provides a very important guideline for us, the citizens of a Tree City U.S.A., to follow in the years to come.

Greg brilliantly taught our children about tree care on Arbor Day — the children loved him. He has always been professional, courteous, and friendly with the public, and has come to know so many of us through his work.

Thank you, Greg, you are a great loss to our town. Princeton will always need a good arborist; the next one will be welcome, but there will be big shoes to fill. We will think of you in the spring as we admire, once again, the leafing out of the beautiful trees you have cared for and planted.

Lindy Eiref,

Dodds Lane

Joanne Diez,

Leicester Court

Lily Krauss,

Leslie Court