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Harvard board advances plan to tag century‑old oaks for U.S. 250th recognition
Summary
Tree Board members proposed tagging about 25 public heritage oaks (estimated ~250 years old) with commemorative metal tags and a web link for history as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary; members asked staff to provide cost estimates and consider existing Mary’s Park funds for tags.
At its July 1 meeting the Harvard Tree Board discussed a heritage‑oak recognition program tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Members reviewed inventory‑based age estimates (diameter at breast height and species) and proposed placing small steel tags on qualifying public oaks to identify them to residents and visitors, and to link to online history.
Why it matters: the program aims to highlight mature trees already on public land and to provide interpretive information about the town’s oldest growth. The presenting member estimated roughly 25 qualifying trees and suggested simple steel tags with the town name and a short inscription marking the 250th anniversary.
Budget and logistics: members asked staff to check costs and whether remaining funds from Mary’s Park operations could cover tagging; one member said tree replacements at Mary’s Park could be handled from operating budget to preserve tag funds. The board discussed whether private‑property trees could be nominated by owners and whether tags or a small web page would be used for historical context.
Next steps: the board asked staff or a designated volunteer (and creative staff/Sarai) to draft tag designs, estimate per‑tag costs, and return with a budget and procurement timeline before October so tagging could be coordinated with fall events if desired.
