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Northampton forestry commission discusses spring planting, Rotary partnership and JFK Middle School plan
Summary
Commission members agreed to pursue multiple spring plantings, including a potential partnership with the Northampton Rotary Club and a large planting at JFK Middle School, while flagging May 17 as late for bare-root stock and asking staff to finalize species, maps and school approvals.
The Northampton Urban Forestry Commission discussed plans for multiple spring plantings on Wednesday, including a potential partnership with the Northampton Rotary Club and a large project at JFK Middle School.
Commission members said the Rotary Club’s proposed May 17 day of service could work but warned the date is late for the commission’s preferred bare-root stock. “If we had May 17…we’d have to use just all grow bags or B&B, which just cuts down on production and is a little more costly,” a commission member said. The group said the City or donor funding could cover the higher cost if the Rotary cannot move the date earlier.
Why it matters: the planting calendar and stock type determine cost, volunteer workload and planting success. Bare-root trees are cheaper and easier for volunteer-driven events; once leaf-out has begun in May, crews typically shift to containerized trees or grow-bags.
Commissioners asked staff and volunteers to finalize a species list, check site boundaries and update maps before giving the school and other landowners a final plan. David Lukens and Jen (last name on file as K. Jen Warner) said they would meet to reconcile a planting map created after the last walk-around and get final sign-off from the JFK principal. Lukens said the commission has flexibility to proceed once species and final site plans are confirmed: “We can work with your May 17 date, but depending upon the planting location and the tree species, it might be better earlier,” Lukens said.
Members discussed specific candidate sites and constraints. St. Mary’s and a planting under utility wires were identified as straightforward volunteer places. Commissioners also noted potential plantings at Smith Vocational and agricultural campus areas, Veterans Field, and a stretch on Main Street in Florence where a tree was removed years ago but private property limits complicate a city planting. For JFK, one commissioner estimated the project could include “about 60” trees; the commission emphasized that figure is preliminary pending a revised map and principal approval.
The commission also said it will contact Ben Green, identified as the facilities arborist at Smith College, to coordinate setbacks and possible campus plantings. Members asked staff to research burials and cemetery foreman preferences before proposing plantings in cemetery-front areas.
Next steps: staff and commissioners will (1) meet to finalize species and a revised map for JFK and other sites, (2) confirm whether the Rotary can move the date or accept higher-cost container stock, (3) get sign-off from landowners (e.g., school principal, Smith Vocational trustees) and (4) publish an updated planting plan to the commission for final approval.
