Many of the stately trees that frame Copley Square once again look to be near death, their leaves dry, brown, and crinkly less than a month after they replaced a previous grove of London planes that had been consumed by a lethal fungus.
If they have to be uprooted again, it would be the third time in about a decade, reflecting the challenges Boston faces as it tries to expand its urban tree cover.
Comments
Any gas leaks killing the roots? That had been an earlier discussed cause for Boston tree deaths.
I watched the contractor plant 22 dead trees in Copley Square over a two week period - those trees were in tough shape before they hit the soil. Water and patience, really? How about some oversight from the city?
We need to have more ownership of our street trees. Homeowners and businesses need to water the tree on their sidewalk for two summers after it is planted. 20 gallons a week - once a week all summer. Those "gator" water holders in my opinion do not work.
There is an excellent book about the loss of urban trees and proposed causes titled "Trees at Risk: Reclaiming an Urban Forest " by Worcester author Evelyn Herwitz. http://treesatrisk.com/ I recommend those in charge of selecting, planting and caring for these trees read it before they plant another one. My personal view is that because they are sessile, most people don't regard trees as living entities that require care and attention. Imagine buying a dog or cat and not feeding them? Just as absurd to plant and then disregard caring for trees. Also, diversity is the key. Planting monoculture (one type of tree) or trees that don't withstand the harsh conditions of the urban environment will only result in repeated failure. If Boston and other Massachusetts cities want to be "green" they have to look to the many horticulture professionals in the Commonwealth to help solve the problem of the dwindling population. Invest in educating the city workers on the care and feeding of all trees.
The City of Boston has the money to get this done. The Mayor should make the Parks Department Tree Division a priority and triple their funding. Everyone likes trees and wants them planted and maintained properly. Everyone gains when we have a green canopy.
Boston could start by completing the Emerald Necklace as it was envisioned by Olmsted, which would mean planting trees the rest of the way up Columbia Road from Franklin Park. It would go a long way to improving that stretch of road, which currently looks like a cement desert (periodically festooned with giant, ugly round cement planters filled with an uninspired assortment of whatever was on sale at Home Depot at the time). Digging up those hideous cement berms and replacing them with trees would transform Columbia Road into the magnificent boulevard it was intended to be. Of course, that would mean spending some money in Dorchester....