Wires overhead along Woodbridge Avenue prevented the New Jersey Cool Cities program
from choosing large shade trees. Still, the smaller pools of shade from more than 50 Japanese
cherries like this one at 81 Woodbridge will help cool sidewalks, roadway, and some of the closer
buildings. Concrete and asphalt absorb solar heat all day and hold it into the night, creating
the "heat island" effect that keeps city residents running their air conditioners. Besides,
cherry blossoms are pretty in spring.
Photo: Arnold Henderson
