October 22nd Tree Campus USA Event a Big Success
On October 22nd, 41 trees were planted at 3 Worcester campuses in a Tree Campus USA Event sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. Holy Cross is only the 2nd Massachusetts Campus to receive the designation, with Worcester State University and Becker College working toward receiving it next year.Thirty of the trees were planted in the College Hill neighborhood; 5 on properties around Becker College, and 6 in a community garden on Chandler Street supported by Worcester State University. At a ceremony hosted by the College of the Holy Cross, City Manager Mike O’Brien praised the 3 colleges for their leadership in helping to make Worcester a greener city. Students and other volunteers then assisted DCR, Worcester Tree Initiative, and campus staff in a very successful day of planting over 40 trees!
On October 22nd, 41 trees were planted at 3 Worcester campuses in a Tree Campus USA Event sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. Holy Cross is only the 2nd Massachusetts Campus to receive the designation, with Worcester State University and Becker College working toward receiving it next year.Thirty of the trees were planted in the College Hill neighborhood; 5 on properties around Becker College, and 6 in a community garden on Chandler Street supported by Worcester State University. At a ceremony hosted by the College of the Holy Cross, City Manager Mike O’Brien praised the 3 colleges for their leadership in helping to make Worcester a greener city. Students and other volunteers then assisted DCR, Worcester Tree Initiative, and campus staff in a very successful day of planting over 40 trees!
The Frost Lady Has Stung...
The Worcester Tree Initiative will be removing all public tree gators until the spring. Trees are now dormant for the winter and no longer require watering until spring.
Thanks to all residents who helped water their city trees. We hope you will continue to water them this coming spring and summer!
Thanks to all residents who helped water their city trees. We hope you will continue to water them this coming spring and summer!
Save the Trees – Spot their Enemies
August is Tree Check Month, so be on the lookout for invasive forest pests in your parks, schools, urban forests, and where you live!
August 1, 2013 marks the 5th anniversary of the discovery of Asian Longhorned Beetle in Massachusetts. Since that fateful day in 2008, more than 30,000 hardwood trees have been removed because of this invasive pest. Recently, another wood-boring beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, was found in Berkshire County, and now threatens millions of Ash trees in our state. Join your fellow citizens during the month of August and check your trees for signs of damage caused by Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer, and learn to recognize the beetles themselves. For more detailed information, visithttp://massnrc.org/pests/blog/ or contact Stacy Kilb, ALB Outreach Coordinator at stacy.kilb@state.ma.usor (617)780-1371.
August 1, 2013 marks the 5th anniversary of the discovery of Asian Longhorned Beetle in Massachusetts. Since that fateful day in 2008, more than 30,000 hardwood trees have been removed because of this invasive pest. Recently, another wood-boring beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, was found in Berkshire County, and now threatens millions of Ash trees in our state. Join your fellow citizens during the month of August and check your trees for signs of damage caused by Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer, and learn to recognize the beetles themselves. For more detailed information, visithttp://massnrc.org/pests/blog/ or contact Stacy Kilb, ALB Outreach Coordinator at stacy.kilb@state.ma.usor (617)780-1371.
Neighborhood Tree Stewards
The Worcester Tree Initiative coordinates educational workshops as part of our "Neighborhood Tree Stewards" program. Neighborhood Tree Stewards volunteer to help sustain the urban forest in Worcester and surrounding towns. We are currently recruiting "Stewards" to help water the newly planted city trees. If you would like to sign up to become a Neighborhood Tree Steward, please contact us at staff@treeworcester.org.
About the Worcester Tree Initiative
The Worcester Tree Initiative is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote urban forestry and stewardship in the City of Worcester and surrounding communities. It was initiated in January 2009 by Congressman Jim McGovern and Lt. Governor Tim Murray after officials anticipated that tens of thousands of trees would be removed because of an infestation of the invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle. The initial goal of the Worcester Tree Initiative was to see that 30,000 trees are planted in Worcester and surrounding towns by 2014.
The Initiative is a public and private partnership between the city of Worcester, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the US Department of Agriculture, and many non-profits, businesses and residents of Central Massachusetts. The program includes intensive outreach, education and training, and long term tracking to realize significant environmental and quality of life improvements with this community based approach. We are using trees grown at local nurseries and as a result our stock will vary based on availability.
The Initiative is a public and private partnership between the city of Worcester, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the US Department of Agriculture, and many non-profits, businesses and residents of Central Massachusetts. The program includes intensive outreach, education and training, and long term tracking to realize significant environmental and quality of life improvements with this community based approach. We are using trees grown at local nurseries and as a result our stock will vary based on availability.
WTI's Wish ListPickup truck with cab (for watering truck)
Watering tank Shovels |
Give a Gift of a Tree!For a donation of $60, the Worcester Tree Initiative will plant a tree in Worcester, Holden, West Boylston, Boylston or Shrewsbury. For every $60 you contribute, we will send a beautiful gift card to your special person. You may make your gift by mail. Checks should be made out to Greater Worcester Community Foundation – Worcester Tree Initiative Fund and mailed to Worcester Tree Initiative, PO Box 2874, Worcester MA 01613. A contribution of any amount will help to reforest the Worcester area. For questions call: (508) 852-6400.
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Young newly planted trees need to be watered 20 - 30 gallons a week.
How to water:
Water slowly and deeply--do not turn the hose on full blast. You can use a five gallon bucket with holes in the bottom to slowly water, place it in the tree pit and fill it up with your hose, refilling when necessary. If you don't want to do that you can turn your hose on a slow stream and place it in the tree pit. Gator bags on street trees are filled through slit in top and let water seep out over a few days. Feel free to fill these gator bags up with water if they are empty. Two groups of Youth are working this summer watering the trees. Five Young Adult Foresters working in partnership with Worcester Youth Center. The five Young Adult Foresters are funded through Massport Summer Jobs with District Attorney's office and Probation Department, Main South CDC also helping out with the funding. Residents can help by watering the street trees in front of their own home, allowing YAFs to use your water to water street trees (by hooking up to the outside water spigot on your house), or volunteering to water trees beyond your immediate neighborhood. Businesses are asked to water the street trees in front of their business. Check out the WTI's PSA on watering trees starring our very own, Ruth Seward! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOHkate7Rqc
How to water:
Water slowly and deeply--do not turn the hose on full blast. You can use a five gallon bucket with holes in the bottom to slowly water, place it in the tree pit and fill it up with your hose, refilling when necessary. If you don't want to do that you can turn your hose on a slow stream and place it in the tree pit. Gator bags on street trees are filled through slit in top and let water seep out over a few days. Feel free to fill these gator bags up with water if they are empty. Two groups of Youth are working this summer watering the trees. Five Young Adult Foresters working in partnership with Worcester Youth Center. The five Young Adult Foresters are funded through Massport Summer Jobs with District Attorney's office and Probation Department, Main South CDC also helping out with the funding. Residents can help by watering the street trees in front of their own home, allowing YAFs to use your water to water street trees (by hooking up to the outside water spigot on your house), or volunteering to water trees beyond your immediate neighborhood. Businesses are asked to water the street trees in front of their business. Check out the WTI's PSA on watering trees starring our very own, Ruth Seward! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOHkate7Rqc
Steering Committee
Founders:
Tim Murray; President/CEO, Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce
Congressman Jim McGovern
Co-Chairs:
Mary Knittle
State Representative Jim O'Day
Jordan Levy
Members:
Paul Belsito
Deb Cary
State Senator Harriette Chandler
Rob Diaz
Margaret Doyle
City Councilor Tony Enonomou
Steve Fischer
Allen Fletcher
School Committee Member Jack Foley
Jay Garree
Robyn Kennedy
Marie Morse
Colin Novick
City Councilor Joe O'Brien
Ken O'Brien
Kevin O'Sullivan
City Councilor Phil Palmieri
Kathleen Polanowicz
Selectman Chris Rucho
Founders:
Tim Murray; President/CEO, Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce
Congressman Jim McGovern
Co-Chairs:
Mary Knittle
State Representative Jim O'Day
Jordan Levy
Members:
Paul Belsito
Deb Cary
State Senator Harriette Chandler
Rob Diaz
Margaret Doyle
City Councilor Tony Enonomou
Steve Fischer
Allen Fletcher
School Committee Member Jack Foley
Jay Garree
Robyn Kennedy
Marie Morse
Colin Novick
City Councilor Joe O'Brien
Ken O'Brien
Kevin O'Sullivan
City Councilor Phil Palmieri
Kathleen Polanowicz
Selectman Chris Rucho
