Print
Share page with AddThis

The Tree Archive - Articles, Postings, Activities

CONTENTS

Part 1.  Articles on "Why Trees Matter"
Part 2.  Postings - General Tree and Forest Information
Part 3.  Past Tree Committee Activities - Highlights

Part 1.  Articles on "Why Trees Matter"

Fall 2020:  Trees Matter V:  Combatting the Emerald Ash Borer - The article is available when you click on this link.

Summer 2020:  Trees Matter IV:  Climate Changes and the Future of Our Forests - The  article is available when you click on this link. 

Spring 2020:  Trees Matter III:  Do Trees Talk to Each Other?  Yes, they do!  To read about the ways in which trees communicate with each other and to find out about the science and scientists behind this amazing aspect of our forests, click here.

Spring 2020:  Trees Matter II:  Trees as Nature's Own Community Activists -  Our trees are community stewards and provide many benefits to us, some much more apparent than others.  Read about how our local trees and forests are enhancing our community by clicking here. 

Winter 2019-20:  Trees Matter I: The West Newbury Anniversary Tree - This remarkable 97-year old tree has been standing on the Training Field since its original planting by Henry and Esther Lay in 1923.  Read more about its history by clicking here.

Part 2.  Postings - General Tree and Forest Information

Fall 2023:  Ash Tree Injection Followup Report released - look for tab on home page or click here

Fall 2022:  Ash Tree Survey Report released - look for tab on home page or click here

Spring 2022:  Detailed Report on Emerald Ash Borer and Spotted Lanternfly released - look for tab on home page or click here

Winter 2021:  Community Tree Survey Results - look for tab on home page or click here

Winter 2020-21: Downloadable USDA Tree Owner's Guide Guide:  This comprehensive but very accessible U.S. Dep't of Agriculture publication contains all the information a homeowner would need to know about selecting, planting, and caring for trees.  click here.

Fall 2020:  Downloadable USDA Guide to Tree Pruning:  This illustrated pamplet covers everything about pruning trees - when, how, and what to avoid.  click here. 

Winter 2019-20:  Compilation of Tree-Related Resources:  This compilation of external resources (books, videos, website) contain a wide breadth of information, including tree identification guidebooks, landscaping with trees, caring for trees, finding an arborist, Massachusetts laws, and much more.  click here.

October 2019:  Downloadable Guide to Selecting Suitable Trees for Planting in Massachusetts: U. Mass. Amherst Dep't of Environmental Conservation has released a new guide for selecting and planting trees in Massachusetts, entitled Planting for Resilience, Selecting Urban Trees in Massachusetts.  To visit the website to download the guide (or to view a companion 45-minute video), click here.  

Part 3.  Past Tree Committee Activities - Highlights

Fall 2023:  Big Trees Program.  The Tree Committee hosted a tree identification walk on September 23 in conjunction with the presentation by Kevin Martin at the library on "The Big Trees of New England."  Attendees were treated to photos during the talk and, later, learned firsthand the techniques needed to measure the big trees.  The Champion Balsam Poplar and the Pin Oak on the Training Field were highlights during the tree walk.   

Summer-Fall 2023:  Ash Tree Injection Program.  As a result of Tree Committee and DPW efforts to combat the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation, 177 public roadway ash trees were injected with carefully chosen systemic pesticides in late June.  The remaining 289 ash trees along public roadways were not injected due to their poor health.  A followup survey in Fall 2023 revealed that 88 of the 177 injected trees survived.  For details on the ash tree survey and the initial injection program results, visit the EAB tab on the homepage or click here.

Summer 2023:  State Legacy Tree - Riverbend Tupelo.  Commonwealth foresters have officially certified that the largest of our Black Tupelo trees along the Riverbend Trail is the second largest in Massachusetts and merits inclusion on the state's Champion/Legacy Tree list.  This magnificent tree is the third in our town on this list, along with the Black Oak and the Balsam Poplar! You can visit this water-loving Black Tupelo by taking the Riverbend Trail from the end of River Road and then taking the adjoining trail located just over the wooden bridge that spans the Indian River outlet into the Merrimack.  

Spring 2023:  West Newbury Recertified as a Tree City USA.  West Newbury once again was awarded this distinction by the Arbor Day foundation.

Spring 2023:  Second State Champion Tree - Balsam Poplar.  In addition to the Haack Black Oak (our first State Champion), the State officially recognized the Balsam Poplar on Main Street at the town center as another State Champion.  Details on these and other amazing trees in West Newbury can be found on our Roster of Significant and Remarkable Trees.  click here

Spring 2023:  Third Annual Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway.  On Saturday, April 29, the Tree Committee gave away almost 100 native tree seedlings to residents.  Among the species given away were:  Black Walnut, Red Maple, Red Oak, Paperbirch, Gray Dogwood, Ninebark, and Silver Maple. 

Fall 2022:  Mill Pond Tree Trail Opened:  On October 8, 2022, the Tree Committee officially opened the 1.5 mile Mill Pond Tree Trail on which signs were posted on 26 species of trees commonly found in West Newbury.  Each sign contains an image of the tree leaf, important identification features, and some interesting historical or cultural information.  Also, each sign has a QR code that, when used, brings the viewer to much more detailed information on each tree species that is contained on the Tree Committee website.  Over 20 residents traveled the Tree Trail with members of the Tree Committee. led by Fred Chanania, chair of the Tree Committee. 

Spring 2022:  Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway.  On Saturday, April 30, the Tree Committee gave away almost 100 native tree seedlings to residents.  Among the species given away were:  Black Walnut,  Washington Hawthorn, Red Oak, Paperbirch, Gray Dogwood, Ninebark, and Silver Maple.    

Spring 2022:  Tree City USA Award Given to West Newbury.  Based on its commitment to protecting and enhancing West Newbury's trees, the Arbor Day Foundation awarded West Newbury the honor of being named a "Tree City USA."

Tree City USA

Winter 2021:  Tree City Application Filed.  In December 2021, the Tree Committee submitted an application to the State DCR and the Arbor Day Foundation to have West Newbury designated as a Tree City USA."  This designation would give the West Newbury national recognition of its efforts to protect its trees and to encourage tree planting.

Fall-Winter 2021:  Final Report on results of Tree Committee Survey Issued.  The Report details the results as well as presents the narrative responses of over 150 town residents.  Residents made it clear, by a vast majority (92%) that trees are extremely important in West Newbury, especially for providing wildlife habitat, enhancing the natural beauty and landscape of the town, and mitigating climate change.  The survey also indicated that the Tree Committee should prioritize its efforts to advise the Planning Board on developer applications, publish guidance to protect trees during construction, and promote tree planting.  For more details, please see link Tree Committee home page or click here.

Summer 2021:  Mill Pond Tree Walk.  Fred Chanania and Nicolas Forestell led 20 town residents on a tree walk in the Mill Pond area to give tips on how to identify over 25 species of trees that are found in West Newbury.

May-June 2021:  Community Tree Survey Conducted:  Over 150 community members responded to the survey circulated by the Tree Committee.  The purpose of the Survey was to assess attitudes of commjunity residents and to help determine priorities for the Tree Committee over the next several years.  The Final Report on the results of the survey is available by clicking on this link:  Final Report on Community Tree Survey 

April 2021:  Arbor Day 2021 Tree Giveaway and Webinars: 

  Arbor Day 2021Over 70 trees were given away to enthusiastic West Newbury residents and two webinars were offered, one on the history of West Newbury Trees and one was a virtual tour of West Newbury Trees.   Here is more information on the webinars.  

  • Video on History of West Newbury Trees, Link:  https://youtu.be/Rl8iG_PkypA.  This hour-long presentation from Arbor Day 2021 traces the history of New England Forests and, in particular, our West Newbury landscape from pre-Colonial Days to the present.  This slideshow takes you on a journey through the changes that have occurred over 400 years of landscape history in and around West Newbury.​
  • Video onWest Newbury Virtual Tree Walk, Link:  https://youtu.be/cJyUxn60CDs.  This hour-long virtual tour focuses on how to identify over 30 species of trees that can be easily seen along roads and trails in West Newbury.  This slideshow looks closely at many of the remarkable trees in town, and provides keys to identifying many of our West Newbury trees.   

Fall 2020:  Guidance for Protecting Trees on Public Rights of Way.   As requested by the Town Tree Warden, the Tree Committee developed guidance on various aspects of protecting trees located on public rights of way along scenic roads in West Newbury.  The guidance contains Best Management Practices for these public trees and also procedures to follow when homeowners wish to address these trees.

Fall 2020:  Public Campaign to Combat the Emerald Ash Borer.  The Tree Copmmittee launched its campaign to inform residents about the major threat to our ash trees resulting from the invasion of emerald ash borers.  In addition to providing information on the website, the Committee held a community-wide virtual teleconference with several state and private company experts to discuss the nature of the threat from the emerald ash borer and what can be done to help save some ash trees.  The teleconference was recorded and can be accessed via YouTube.

Fall-Winter 2020-21:  Five Trees inaugurate the Roster of Significant and Remarkable Trees in West Newbury.  During the fall and winter of 2020, the Committee was pleased to announce five inaugural entries onto West Newbury's Roster of Significant and Remarkable Trees.  Details on why these trees are remarkable and significant are provided on the fact sheets linked to the Roster, which appears on the Committee's website.  The first five trees are:

  • Black Oak on Main Street (west end)
  • Scarlet Oak off Coffin Street (former Beaucher property)
  • Red Oak on Poorhouse Lane Trail
  • White Oak on Poorhouse Lane Trail
  • Balsam Poplar on Main Street (town center)

June 2020:  Tree Committee Awarded DCR grant.  Last month, the West Newbury Tree Committee was awarded a Community Forestry Challenge Grant of $1500 from the Massachusetts Dep't of Conservation and Recreation.  We are 1 of 17 communities receiving this type of grant award.  Our grant funds will be applied to the ongoing effort to compile the Roster of Significant and Remarkable Trees and for committee member training about tree identification, measurement, and care.

April 2020: Tree Seedlings Rescued and Distributed:  Thanks to Jack Ingram of Bartlett's Tree Service, over 700 tree seedlings were rescued from the compost pile and planted in West Newbury.  The Tree Committee obtained the white dogwood, crabapple, golden-rain, and gingko tree seedlings from Jack on Saturday morning April 4th due to a canceled event in another town.  By 4 o'clock, almost all of the seedlings had been picked up for planting or further distribution by members of the Tree Committee and West Newbury's Garden Club. The remaining 60 or so gingko seedlings will find their homes along the urban streets in Lawrence MA thanks to Brad Buschur and the Green Streets program.  Congratulations to everyone who helped us save these trees -- truly a great community effort!