14 arborists trim trees today at Wick Park for free

YOUNGSTOWN

Kurtis Magnello watched with pride as overgrown branches and limbs crashed to the grounds of Wick Park, courtesy of professional foresters who volunteered their services this morning.

Magnello, a board-certified master arborist from Warren, spearheaded the Youngstown Arbor Day of Service in which his fellow professionals applied their skills to a park desperately in need of them, at no cost to the city. This is the second consecutive year he has organized the day of free service, after seeing similar volunteer efforts in other cities.

“We’ve got some really experienced guys here today,” said Magnello about the group of 14 professionals who brought their bucket trucks, chain saws and other gear. “We hope to trim from 15 to 20 trees, and that’s a job that would have cost the city anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000,” Magnello said.

Dave Sturtz, the city’s only paid forester, said Youngstown employs just one crew to trim all of its trees, so Saturday’s turnout was more than welcome.

Read more about the volunteer work in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.