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THE COMMUNITY TREES PROJECT

The EarthWorks Community Tree Project is a tree-planting program that began as a pilot focused
in Jamaica Plain, MA. EarthWorks now works with neighborhood groups, volunteers, and residents to plant trees on private property for the common good. We are currently working in all of Boston's neighborhoods, but areas with the least canopy coverage receive trees first.

So far EarthWorks has planted more than 1000 Community Trees in Boston.  We are currently looking for folks that want trees in their yard and other large planting sites in the city.

Earthworks will track the health of the trees for five years. Through plantings, education, and outreach, we aim to create neighborhood connections while increasing Boston's urban tree canopy. Most importantly, we anticipate that the project will serve as a replicable model for other communities to use. This project is designed to increase the communal benefits of trees. Overall, we hope to achieve a general improvement of the quality of life in Boston through planting trees.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Our first community partner, JP Trees, formed in response to a rash of tree cuttings during recent development projects in Jamaica Plain. The group approached EarthWorks in 2005 for technical help with planting trees in Jamaica Plain. Since inception, JP Trees has promoted tree planting to JP residents and organized two small tree planting drives to match property owners and sites with an appropriate tree in collaboration with EarthWorks.

Our expansion into Hyde Park took off with the support of the Hyde Park YMCA and EarthWorks Youth Environmental Action (YEA) team based there.  We also partnered with the Archdale Community Center to conduct outreach and plantings in northern Roslindale, also through our YEA program. This neighborhood is a high priority Community Tree Project target area because it has relatively low tree canopy cover. 

PROJECT TIMELINE

After the initial pilot plantings in the fall of 2006, we are now prepared to expand the program and provide trees to other interested residents in Boston. We evaluate each planting site to ensure that we recommend a tree that matches the conditions and space at that site. Site evaluations can be conducted year round. Plantings are scheduled from the end of March through November. Earthworks provides trees, mulch, guidance in planting, and furnish new tree owners with a Tree Care Guide containing tree care instructions and tips, all at no cost to participants.

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