Harvard planted approximately 150 street trees on Western Avenue in 2007 and it is amazing how many of them are now dead or far from flourishing.Taking care of street trees is not rocket science - mostly is about choosing an appropriate species and making sure it get enough water. Many of the dead trees are London Planes - a popular species used as a street tree in Boston and elsewhere. The Boston Parks Department recommends at least 20 gallons of water each week regardless of temperature from the spring thaw to the winter freeze.
This tree, one of many ready to go through the wood chipper, is across the street from the Gulf station in Barry's Corner.
Plants die, especially if they don't get enough water. But they are easily replaced. Too often the city doesn't plant trees when they cut one down, and then they just pave over the spot later.
ReplyDeleteI tried to get my neighbors to put trees on the street, but they are crabby old immigrants who don't like the leaves and cracks in the sidewalk.