Public Shade Tree Committee

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"Trees are the best monuments that man can erect to his own memory. They speak his praises without flattery, & they are blessings to children yet unborn."



-- Lord Orrery, 1749 
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June, 2013 Tree Planting at Stanley Street with residents and 4-H Robotics Club Boys
Source: Tom Lynn, ex-officio Shade Tree Committee Member

Mission


The Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee preserves, protects and promotes town shade trees. Street trees provide beauty, shade, breathable air, pure ground water, stable soil and habitat for wildlife.  Therefore, our committee works in conjunction with the town tree warden to get trees properly selected, planted and cared for throughout town.  We also work to ensure that trees get taken into account in town policies and planning. Our hope is to make Amherst a greener and lovlier town.

The Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Tree Warden and the Select Board on matters involving public shade trees, including, but not limited to: the replacement of dead or dying trees, the species recommended for replacements, the planting of additional trees, and the level of funding necessary to carry out these and other recommendations.  Additionally, we educate the public about the importance and benefits of town shade trees.

Second Saturday Plantings


Join us April through October for our tree plantings:

  Upcoming:  October 13, 2018, 9 AM - Noon, along Amity Street.

Bring your friends, and a shovel if you have one.  Look for the yellow town truck.
M

eetings

  • Tuesday, October 9, 5:30 PM, at Town Hall.
  • We normally meet at town hall on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and we start each meeting with a public comment period.  Come tell us your thoughts about your public street trees!

Site Visits: Join us to discuss the fate of these trees

  • None scheduled.
  • Past visits: July 23:  On East Hadley Road, the addition of bike lanes forced some red and white oaks to be removed, and on East Pleasant Street by Olympia Drive, a new bus stop required the removal of several Amur cork trees. The committee voted to agree to this as cork trees are invasive.  We did get one native black birch saved

Agendas and Minutes:



How You Can Help


  1. Join us on our monthly plantings, usually the second Saturday of April through October.  Or, volunteer to help us with outreach and advocacy.

  2. Request a tree!

    3.
  3. Make a contribution.  Please send to the below address:
          Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee
          c/o Henry Lappen
         120 Pulpit Hill, # 31
          Amherst, MA 01002
    Write checks to the Town of Amherst, with 'Gift Tree Fund' on the memo line.
       For more information, contact Henry Lappen.







Our committee represented at the New York City Climate Justice March, September 20, 2014

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