Making Boston greener, one tree at a time
Featured on:
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Channel 5 - 5 for Good https://www.wcvb.com/article/5-for-good-boston-west-end-wetreeboston-wetree-green-makeover/61100388
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The Advocate Channel https://content.jwplatform.com/previews/Ln0qVVWh (scroll down to WE Tree Boston)
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NU Magazine - https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/04/19/magazine/urban-tree-planting-boston/
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We Need You!!
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Friday, April 25 10:30-2:30 and again Saturday, April 26 10:30-2:30 on Thoreau Path - mulching, fixing fencing, putting up new signs, and more - stop by for any amount of time you have to share
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Every Tue/Thu/Sat 7:30-8:30am and Mon/Wed 6-7pm April 28-first freeze - for watering - ask your neighbors, being part of our watering teams is fun and a great way to make new friends - join us any time you are free
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did we start WE Tree Boston?
It was suggested that the West End needed more green spaces, and after surveying the entire West End, we found that adding trees would be the fastest way to turn our neighborhood green.
How can you help?
Our biggest need is always to help with watering the baby trees. We also need to measure and survey all 200+ trees that linke Thoreau Path and have work days where we mulch, hang solar lights and wreaths, fix fencing and signs. And ideas on marketing and finding new grants is always welcome.
What does joining a 'watering team' require?
We have 40 trees under our care with another 10 going in this year. Each new tree needs 15 gallons of water (3 Home Depot buckets), 1-3 times each week from Arbor Day (Apr 25) until the first freeze. We meet as a team to water them, we welcome people to join any time they are free. We will be on Thoreau Path every Tue/Thu/Sat from 7:30-8:30am and Mon and Wed from 6-7pm.
Do I have to live in the West End to volunteer?
No, we have had wonderful volunteers give us advice, donate money and supplies, help us measure and tag trees, help us plant trees and more.
Why 15 gallons of water? Isn't rainwater enough?
In the West End we do not have rich soil, instead we have lots of bricks and concrete from the old West End, filled with lots of sand, so water is not retained by the trees root system. The soil is also very compacted, so rainwater often runs off before sinking into the tree's roots.
What are the species of trees being planted?
We have achieved arboretum status to help protect Thoreau Path, so we need to have at least 25 unique species. To date we have planted Dogwoods, Maples, Oaks, Gingkos, Magnolias, Sweetgums, Tulips, Cherry Trees, a Forest Pansy, an Alaskan Cedar, a Japanese Maple and a Dawn Redwood.
How can I plant trees in my own neighborhood?
If you live in Boston, you can submit a ticket to 311 to request a tree be planted on a sidewalk near your home. If you are in an underserved neighborhood, you can contact Speak for the Trees to get a tree to plant. If you live outside of Boston, you should contact your town's arborist to see about getting trees planted.
How can you have a tree planted for a loved one?
In order to plant a tree in the West End we have to get permission from a local land owner, approval from Dig Safe that the placement will work and then raise the funds to purchase and plant the tree. The cost varies significantly from tree to tree based on species, size, number of other trees being delivered, time of year. If you are interested, please email wetreeboston@gmail.com to discuss specifics. Each new tree will need compost, mulch, fencing, signage, plastic cages, gator bag and lights.
