[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6170208,"mediaKeyId","5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6","parentId",5398469,"title","Northampton honored with Tree City USA and Growth awards; officials share best practices at DCR event","audioSeconds",281,"startMs",303000,"endMs",584000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6&start=303&end=584","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6/thumbnail_303000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6170208/Massachusetts/Northampton-honored-with-Tree-City-USA-and-Growth-awards-officials-share-best-practices-at-DCR-event","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170208-b71d47dccf8bddf7a87f8a0ccd35d66a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030155&Signature=PfgNlFiAW5nBAClrtRk3qfJRWFIfUxN1XP8FBB2Ks0V1APyPREO~k86RUxEGt9-wVonnU3JE8frCmLk~1mc6oI4BYdfKh3S66w0zjkco3eN~4~xk1jBgjv4numAm1qUg94UovAMEU~te4RpICtHoMbtndK5jTmv01~Iaw9yeHumRXxnX2ZHpQLWiyWkUwJT~bCOd6STQDUHttOVMPpR-bIW9KVJnsMKXVWU9VSlEQMTYytjt5jYHquvPvNdwlyEk115SQtbsXxlr3BROomovRKYKfAlxFvQFVc0fM76INcgIElzH~Cf4VxhvZOmZYUh2wq2bkoSBFtVe1nY6E5th3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-07-14T19:40:22Z","article","Northampton received Tree City USA recognition for the 18th year and a Growth Award for the eighth consecutive year, city staff reported at the July 2 meeting.

“ So we are officially been awarded our Tree City USA and growth award for our eighth year. And our Tree City USA is 18 years, and our growth award is 8 years in a row,” said Rich Parasolini, the city’s tree warden, describing the awards presentation he attended in Malden.

Parasolini summarized two presentations at the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) event that he said the commission may find useful. Chris Rosa, tree warden and cemetery supervisor in Malden, described a permeable paver roadway installed at a municipal cemetery. Parasolini recounted the demonstration: “He had a 1 inch hose there running on the ground for the whole time we were there, and the water just disappeared.” He said the system is built on multilayers of crushed stone and designed to infiltrate most flows while tying into the city stormwater system for extreme events.

The DCR fire chief, Dave Salino, gave a briefing on the previous year’s fire season and wildfire coordination with municipal officials; Parasolini said heavier spring rains had eased immediate wildfire concerns but cautioned that last year’s dry summer conditions remain a learning point for preparedness.

Parasolini also noted that a Greenfield tree committee described a college‑run tree nursery funded by DCR grant money and that the awards package included signage to commemorate Northampton’s Tree City USA status.

Less critical detail: staff discussed issuing a press release to raise awareness of the award; the commission suggested local media coverage in the Hampshire Gazette and noted the city had published a press release on the city website listing the recognition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urban Forestry Commission | July 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City representatives received Tree City USA recognition and a Growth Award; Northampton’s tree warden described presentations from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, including a permeable paver system and state wildfire briefing.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6170212,"State greenway work will remove trees on Ice Pond Drive; commission held public shade‑tree hearings",75,1017000,1092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6&start=1017&end=1092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6/thumbnail_1017000.jpg","/articles/6170212/Massachusetts/State-greenway-work-will-remove-trees-on-Ice-Pond-Drive-commission-held-public-shadetree-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170212-fffb343f057d7ad93c822ffbfca5f0cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030156&Signature=BiptH8e0UThnYJ3CG-DmZwVf3iR~zUkCrDX7ekw59B0oSZLWUFHoZ-r2Y5aWG1tehyElTO-UBt3QBKtoL2c4Vd9GoW-YsTpwFuHMO1P2FKFTpdu8y5Ax5Z89zYmVbe4MkQ4SIr8nJnmBRrcWh8hnEipsWnY1ccfvx4e~OKt2ZL7-wDu9oTDXmcSDZtvENMMitYXGRgDx0o-7RxYJLkRQoRVJ5R8gk6Z4KBA6vUarGgl6ipDGOUF4~HdUfyqL3mO71DCC2yGncYO0FhGzQ7Y5HaBgJzMtQPyxnvTgLufAWOcEIlwwlPMm9DvvyB5gF2PGEg7eI6gHJSFYgkvTmHwx1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff said trees along Ice Pond Drive will be removed as part of a state roadway/greenway project to widen a sidewalk and connect to the Rocky Hill Greenway.

Rich Parasolini, Northampton’s tree warden, told the commission he had met with the state DOT project manager and the contractor and that the city held public shade‑tree hearings for the trees to be removed. Parasolini described the site and the reason for removals: “the trees...would be exposed to just a exposed period, and the trees wouldn't be able to, they wouldn't be able to stay there. They would just end up falling over, so we decided to to remove them.”

Parasolini said the project involves land the city owns adjacent to a Tennessee Gas easement and that the multiuse trail alignment requires widening on one side, which will affect several street trees. He confirmed that public shade‑tree hearings were conducted months earlier and that contractors have been engaged for the work.

The commission noted the removals followed the city’s public hearing process for public shade trees and that removed trees will be documented for future replacement where feasible. Parasolini said residents who travel that corridor or use the Rocky Hill Greenway may notice ongoing work and that the city will coordinate with the state project manager on timing and replacement planning.

Less critical detail: commissioners noted visibility of the embankment and that some work will relate to an existing stormwater connection designed to accept overflow in large storm events.","Northampton staff said several trees along Ice Pond Drive were approved for removal after public shade‑tree hearings to accommodate a Rocky Hill Greenway sidewalk widening and because existing tree roots would be exposed and destabilized.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6170218,"Northampton, Smith College explore 15–18 setback plantings; college grounds may plant some trees",492,1506000,1998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6&start=1506&end=1998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6/thumbnail_1506000.jpg","/articles/6170218/Massachusetts/Northampton-Smith-College-explore-1518-setback-plantings-college-grounds-may-plant-some-trees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170218-5bee1b1d5e35f43bd8c2b48cfb1d9b01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030156&Signature=HaEsMl8kk1NfiHEdcb5gzBLRlSP7iW1Xo1Hx9SgYNkMLbhwS3rpntKAbIkAvb1V97SIEzTjr90YQg4mu4tRQcfo5zSPqoo1IV~YiUrpQ~E7yItnHeg8SfUDa6VjXToxgoUo4pdeq4hqNpmW6ZISusXN8puLSmLBkKUQvsQ-urXV1JlmbNyc2yBTEYB1-Iz03kbSBrIlwhvqmvmTiSbAvTsMPuu07z3LBpKQTcHUW0k-8KLR1eYQjNusBReO2XG70ycwxFgiUoNO7l9~Pct7JFN6RTJkHRFkil6nN5i5HHX7w-1M1BtO3JIw6PnQnQzcBm9d0tAg~MOTtQKWaMhsVww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northampton forestry staff and Smith College representatives have identified multiple setback planting locations on and along the college’s frontage and preliminarily estimated 15–18 new trees could be planted this fall, the commission was told.

Rich Parasolini, Northampton’s tree warden, said he toured candidate sites with Ben Green, Smith College’s arborist, and Lily Caron, Smith’s sustainability coordinator. Parasolini summarized the inventory of potential locations and told the commission: “So maybe 15 15 to 18 trees possibly. Possibly.”

The list discussed at the meeting included several college rental properties and college grounds locations: 36 Bedford Terrace, 6 and 8 Bedford Terrace, a long tree belt on Elm Street across from the Museum of Art (room for multiple trees), 41 Elm Street, and locations near Park House (150 Elm Street). Parasolini said Stoddard Hall’s immediate frontage cannot accommodate a tree because of an underground fire service line at the sidewalk edge.

Parasolini said some trees would be in the public right‑of‑way and others on college‑managed land. He told the commission the college grounds crew is a separate bargaining unit and may prefer to plant and maintain trees on their managed parcels; in that case the city could supply trees and materials while the grounds crew performs the planting. He said Smith staff “were amenable to doing a fall planting if possible.”

Next steps described in the meeting: Smith College staff will develop a species list that fits the college’s arboretum framework and salt‑resistance needs; Northampton staff will follow up with the college rental manager to confirm whether certain frontages are college rental properties; and the commission will coordinate species selection with its nursery inventory.

The commission flagged potential site constraints: proximity to overhead wires on Elm Street, deicing and snow‑loading on steep embankments by Bedford Terrace, and utility lines beneath some sidewalks. Parasolini said the city will avoid planting where trees would be exposed to salt spray or where conflicts with utilities make trees unsustainable.

No formal planting permit or final planting schedule was decided at the meeting. Staff said they will refine the list and species choices over the summer and report back to the commission at its next meeting.

Less critical detail: commissioners discussed volunteer support and student involvement for plantings on campus properties and the possibility that the grounds crew would prefer to perform installations to avoid conflicts over maintenance.","City staff met with Smith College arborist and grounds staff to identify setback planting locations; preliminary plans propose roughly 15–18 trees across college‑managed and public right‑of‑way sites with possible fall planting and collaboration with the college grounds crew.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6170220,"High mortality reduces gains from Northampton’s spring tree plantings, staff report",210,2663000,2873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6&start=2663&end=2873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5398469-4b7c39e0b463daded6e0d802159389f6/thumbnail_2663000.jpg","/articles/6170220/Massachusetts/High-mortality-reduces-gains-from-Northamptons-spring-tree-plantings-staff-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170220-ae16b2c8eeb2deb4898d17a337d0a729/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030156&Signature=hPgR7W9X8Jdrsfx-4Ko2ai-ZOQKPijTE7W8gDqqKSLfTqATlC4EFgF7XquaBFm8Ee3-4aTGj3faqSVTcDwYZ2STDWRQor5Kh4MfUACjL~MP-x~~VBnkXpXIswJBizj1gt04GD6Y4axo2qvISfMa67N16PCckelqOntxuJg9S8Zn1PuwBPdllHhumlVdfAL8pq63ZODIZPrt~uon3WhLek3Zb6zd5XcMzr4Dc6kpf9HPIuw4yUPJ33PudFwCPjX7XQfacN-SsXKi5IkxLS4218EYpRPhrqkuqgKxcQle4c5SY5XyBVBX5zllX8iKa65VYV2ejfN~Z6XI73nkEE2HtrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spring plantings in Northampton produced 72 new trees this season but city staff reported an unusually high number of post‑planting deaths and said replacement plantings will be required in the fall.

Jen, a staff member who coordinated spring plantings, told the Northampton Urban Forestry Commission that “we planted a total of 72 trees. 32 of those were bare roots, and the other 40 were grow bag or ball of burlaps.” She added the city “did have, interestingly, probably the highest number of tree deaths that I've known since we've been planting.”

The commission and staff described several likely contributors to the losses: a difficult winter and spring with alternating frozen ground and warm spells; a prolonged dry period late last summer and fall that left soils dry; strong winds during weather shifts; and nursery stock that lacked fibrous root systems. The staff report named London plane trees, bald cypress and several containerized Zelkova as species with higher-than-expected mortality this season.

Commission members and staff said they are responding with monitoring, supplemental watering and plans to replant sites this fall. Jen described ongoing maintenance: “Brooke has been out there once a week” watering new plantings, and staff are compiling lists of failed trees for replacement.

Commissioners also discussed planting methods and stock types. Staff and volunteers said grow‑bag stock has generally produced the best root‑to‑shoot ratios and higher survival in recent seasons, while some ball‑and‑burlap and container stock arrived with limited fibrous roots. The commission discussed nursery root‑pruning practices that can improve post‑transplant survival but noted those techniques must be applied in advance by the grower.

The spring round included several larger neighborhood plantings: a 14‑tree replacement on Ridgeview Road to replace ash trees lost to emerald ash borer; 28 bare‑root trees planted at the JFK site with the Rotary Club; 19 trees planted on Hubbard Avenue (half the street); and a small cul‑de‑sac project that added three large oaks plus understory species. Volunteers and groups including a local high‑school environmental science club participated in Saturday and Sunday plantings.

Commissioners emphasized the program’s goal of replacing trees that fail and keeping plantings at a scale the city can maintain. Jen said she logged more than 100 hours between February and June on planting coordination and volunteer work. The city budget that took effect July 1 maintained the prior year’s planting funding, the commission said, and staff expect to resume fall plantings and replacements when the nursery and site conditions allow.

The commission directed staff to reconcile the spring planting inventory and mortality list and to deliver that reconciled data to commissioners for planning and budget tracking.

Less critical details: staff noted tulip trees at one site leafed out late but are being monitored; several sites will be rechecked for staking and mulch; and volunteers will be asked to help with fall watering and replacements if needed.","City staff and volunteers planted 72 trees this spring but reported unusually high post‑planting deaths tied to weather, nursery stock quality and site conditions; replacements are planned for fall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northampton honored with Tree City USA and Growth awards; officials share best practices at DCR event

State greenway work will remove trees on Ice Pond Drive; commission held public shade‑tree hearings

Northampton, Smith College explore 15–18 setback plantings; college grounds may plant some trees

High mortality reduces gains from Northampton’s spring tree plantings, staff report