NEW ORLEANS
The Buckmoth Caterpillars are heavily infesting all sections of
the city and the Parkway Partners spraying program is now underway.
Citizens and neighborhood associations should sign up for the program prior to
March 31st to guarantee spraying through April, to avoid full maturity of the
caterpillars.

The city's parks are also experiencing heavy infestation at a time that the
Department of Parks and Parkways is severely reduced. Donations to assist with
the spraying of Jackson Square, Congo Square, and other parks is desperately
needed.

Our oak trees were stressed by the storm and the current infestation of
caterpillars is leading to further stress that the trees have difficulty
overcoming. Even previously flooded areas are experiencing severe outbreaks of
the problems.

The Buckmoth caterpillar voraciously eats the new foliage of oaks and the oak
trees will have replaced their leaves three times within the last 8 months if
not addressed immediately. This leaf replacement is very stressful for the
trees. Additionally, the caterpillar has a nasty sting when touched by humans
or pets.

Parkway Partners, in partnership with the City's Department of Parks and
Parkways, is offering the services of licensed, reputable companies through the
"Save Our Trees" program in order to enable New Orleans' citizens to
protect trees in parks, neutral grounds and along our streets.

In addition to the spraying for Buckmoth Caterpillars, Parkway Partners offers
the following services through the "Save Our Trees" program:

Fertilization program: Our beautiful oaks should be fertilized annually, but
it has never been more important than after the storm. Many of our trees are
severely threatened and fertilization helps deter the ill effects of the storm.
The cost is $40 per tree.
Termite Treatment: Trees that were torn and twisted in the storm resulted in
exposed wood that may attract termites, allowing them to gain entry and further
weaken the already stressed tree. Many of the Live Oak trees that fell in the
storm had significant termite damage. Licensed companies use treatment methods
approved by the City?s Department of Parks and Parkways. The cost is $120 per
tree.
Tree Assessment Program: The damaged trees in our public spaces need
professional evaluation at a time when the City's Department of Parks and
Parkways is severely reduced. Through this new program, a licensed arborist
will provide a visual assessment and written documentation of the tree's
needs. The cost is $55 per tree; however, if electing to have the tree
repaired, $40 may be applied against the full assessment of the contractor.

Due to the magnitude of Katrina's impact on our public trees, the severely
reduced city Department of Parks and Parkways needs citizen support in
proactively protecting the urban canopy. A 54% reduction in staff, coupled
with budget cuts and equipment destroyed in the floodwaters has greatly reduced
the ability of the Department of Parks and Parkways to respond to extensive tree
care.

Parkway Partners is also willing to educate others and speak at neighborhood
association meetings, as well as distribute flyers to those wanting to help get
the word out about this program.

Parkway Partners only contracts services for trees located on city property;
however, if a customer would like services performed on additional trees
located on their property, they may hire the contractor to do so. This is done
outside of the contract with Parkway Partners and the City's Department of
Parks and Parkways.

For additional information, please call (504) 620-2224 or visit

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to order these services online through Paypal's
secure website.

This is one of many projects in which Parkway Partners supports "green"
action in landscaping, tree planting and community clean-up projects following
Hurricane Katrina. Founded in 1982, Parkway Partners is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization which creates partnerships between the public and private sectors
for the maintenance and beautification of the city's neutral grounds, parks
and playgrounds; the nurturing of our urban forest; the transformation of
unsightly vacant lots into community gardens and pocket parks; the protection
of historic monuments; and the development of new parks.