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 lovelier 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 every second Saturday, April through November, for our tree plantings. We are currently planning for 2020.  Suggest a location that needs trees!

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

eetings

  • Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 5:30 - 7 PM,
  • We normally meet at town hall on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at town hall 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.

  • Upcoming: None scheduled
  • Past visits:
     East Hadley Road, 10/15/19:  We agreed to the removal of a pine tree and several arbor vitae to make way for a new bus stop.

    West Street, across from Potwine Lane, 10/15/19:  We requested that the tree warden not remove the trees but to go back to the DPW to rework the project if possible.

    133 South East St., 2/26/19: We decided to oppose the removal of the large Catalpa and other trees at this location.  The Town Manager decided to remove these trees.

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. 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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