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Summer plantings: dozens of trees planted this spring; some replacements, watering and staffing remain priorities
Summary
Commission members reported about 60–70 trees planted this season, recent plantings and upcoming work at JFK School and Saint Mary's Cemetery, and ongoing watering capacity (two water trucks) and budget support of roughly $50,000 for planting.
The Northampton Urban Forestry Commission reported substantial spring planting activity but said some newly planted trees have struggled and will be replaced in the fall. "We planted 8 trees today, and then there'll be another, I think, 8 or 9 trees planted on Saturday," the Tree Warden said, adding that the commission has likely planted "probably more in the sixties" this season.
Commission members said about eight or nine recently planted trees at Saint Mary's Cemetery died of desiccation and were replaced from the city's inventory with London plane trees. The Tree Warden said the cemetery site is exposed to full sun and wind, which contributed to the losses.
The commission described short‑term watering plans and staffing: two departmental staff (Brooke and Abby) will split time between cemetery maintenance and tree work, and the city has "the capability of the 2 water trucks going." The tree warden said the department will place water bags on new trees and monitor them throughout the season.
On planting technique, the tree warden said some container trees installed earlier showed poor root conditions and required replacement. A number of sites on private property — setback plantings requested by residents on streets including Ridgewood Terrace, Sherman Avenue and State Street — are in process; the commission and staff will coordinate with applicants and the Smith College forester on campus sites.
The commission said volunteers, the Rotary Club and staff will be used for larger plantings when capacity allows. Members described available planting funding as stable: the Tree Warden said the city budgets "up to $50,000 a year for tree planting alone" but that plantable sites now rely more on setback and nuanced locations than on previously available "premium" tree belts.
No formal votes were taken on planting strategy at the June 4 meeting; staff were assigned to continue follow‑up on Smith College contact, planting lists and water‑bag installation.
