Help grow Boston's urban forest by adopting and caring for a tree in the Ellis!
Trees
The Ellis Neighborhood is fortunate to have lovely tree-lined streets. Urban trees provide countless benefits beyond aesthetics including moderating global warming, filtering air pollutants, storing stormwater and reducing run-off adding to the diversity of species by providing a stable habitat, and cooling hot city streets. But trees along our streets often suffer from the negative effects of road salt, pet urine, pollution and draught. At Ellis we are committed to increasing our tree canopy and adding the extra care that urban trees need to survive.
How to Get a Tree Planted on your Sidewalk: The city of Boston plants new trees in the spring and fall primarily based on resident requests. Guidelines for new tree planting are listed on the website here. Requests are more easily fulfilled if a tree pit already exists and if the location is close to your residence. We strongly encourage you to make your request online at BOS: 311 so that it can be tracked.
How to Care for Street Trees: Many street trees do not receive the proper care or attention they need to survive and thrive. This is especially true for newly planted trees, where proper watering is critical for at least their first three years after being planted. Trees that have been in the ground less than three years require 20 gallons of water, approximately 1.5 inches of rainfall per week, to survive particularly from May 1 through September 30. During most weeks of the summer in Boston, we receive about half that amount. Young trees are also very vulnerable to other hazards of city life: road salt, animal urine, soil contamination, human abuse and weather damage.
The Ellis Neighborhood Association is introducing an Adopt-A-Tree program to allow residents to sign up online to care for a specific young tree and to log weekly watering and other activities. See more information by clicking on the Adopt-A-Tree button.
Here’s how you can help:
Tree Watering Guide
When and how much water:
1). Gator bags: Many younger trees are equipped with green plastic bags that release water slowly to the trees roots. These bags usually hold around 20 gallons of water, so would only need to be filled once per week. Bags are sometimes attached to the post that is the tree is tied to for support rather than the tree itself. This is not a mistake! Installing on the base of the tree may cause crown rot in some species. Do not move the bag from its original location.
2). Five-gallon bucket adjusted for slow water release:
Tree Mulching Guide:
Mulch also helps a young tree because it helps to retain water in the soil. It’s even more helpful if the mulch is mixed with compost to provide added nutrition. If possible, add mulch to your adopted tree’s pit as follows.
Tree Fence Sponsorships:
The Ellis has initiated a multi-year program to protect our most valuable resource - our trees, and to improve the pedestrian experience throughout the neighborhood. To date, generous neighbors, businesses and the Ellis have sponsored over 100 fences throughout our neighborhood. Click here for more information on sponsoring a tree fence.
Resources for more information about Boston trees:
Speak for the Trees: With a mission of increasing the size and health of Boston’s urban forest, especially in underserved and under-canopied neighborhoods, Speak for the Trees works to build relationships between communities, residents, and trees as a tool to strengthen neighborhoods and to develop resilience in its many forms.
Boston Open Tree Map: Check to see what kinds of trees are growing near you.
Tree ID Guide: Learn about the most common Boston street trees
How to Get a Tree Planted on your Sidewalk: The city of Boston plants new trees in the spring and fall primarily based on resident requests. Guidelines for new tree planting are listed on the website here. Requests are more easily fulfilled if a tree pit already exists and if the location is close to your residence. We strongly encourage you to make your request online at BOS: 311 so that it can be tracked.
How to Care for Street Trees: Many street trees do not receive the proper care or attention they need to survive and thrive. This is especially true for newly planted trees, where proper watering is critical for at least their first three years after being planted. Trees that have been in the ground less than three years require 20 gallons of water, approximately 1.5 inches of rainfall per week, to survive particularly from May 1 through September 30. During most weeks of the summer in Boston, we receive about half that amount. Young trees are also very vulnerable to other hazards of city life: road salt, animal urine, soil contamination, human abuse and weather damage.
The Ellis Neighborhood Association is introducing an Adopt-A-Tree program to allow residents to sign up online to care for a specific young tree and to log weekly watering and other activities. See more information by clicking on the Adopt-A-Tree button.
Here’s how you can help:
Tree Watering Guide
When and how much water:
- Water before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. to reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.
- For new trees three years old or less, give a minimum of 20 gallons of water per week per tree. During periods of drought or dry spells, be generous and make sure to also water any mature street trees.
1). Gator bags: Many younger trees are equipped with green plastic bags that release water slowly to the trees roots. These bags usually hold around 20 gallons of water, so would only need to be filled once per week. Bags are sometimes attached to the post that is the tree is tied to for support rather than the tree itself. This is not a mistake! Installing on the base of the tree may cause crown rot in some species. Do not move the bag from its original location.
- To fill the bag, insert a hose or water container into the slot at the top of the bag between the two layers of plastic. You should not see the water immediately flow from the bag into the tree pit because the bags are designed for slow release. If the water is still in the bag after a few days, the holes at the bottom are most likely clogged with dirt and should be cleared. View an instructional video here.
2). Five-gallon bucket adjusted for slow water release:
- Drill 4-5 holes the diameter of a pencil on the bottom.
- Fill the bucket with water and place it at the base of the tree.
- Fill it up again four or five times, to equal the full 20 gallons needed, moving the bucket location slightly each time to distribute the water more evenly around the tree’s root zone.
- Place the hose a foot or so from the base of the tree and turn it on to a trickle.
- Let it run for 1-2 hours, moving it occasionally to provide water to the tree’s entire root zone.
Tree Mulching Guide:
Mulch also helps a young tree because it helps to retain water in the soil. It’s even more helpful if the mulch is mixed with compost to provide added nutrition. If possible, add mulch to your adopted tree’s pit as follows.
- Lay down a mulch ring around the tree following the 3-3-3 rule (3 inches deep in a 3-foot radius around the tree, while leaving a 3-inch circle closest to the trunk with no mulch).
Tree Fence Sponsorships:
The Ellis has initiated a multi-year program to protect our most valuable resource - our trees, and to improve the pedestrian experience throughout the neighborhood. To date, generous neighbors, businesses and the Ellis have sponsored over 100 fences throughout our neighborhood. Click here for more information on sponsoring a tree fence.
Resources for more information about Boston trees:
Speak for the Trees: With a mission of increasing the size and health of Boston’s urban forest, especially in underserved and under-canopied neighborhoods, Speak for the Trees works to build relationships between communities, residents, and trees as a tool to strengthen neighborhoods and to develop resilience in its many forms.
Boston Open Tree Map: Check to see what kinds of trees are growing near you.
Tree ID Guide: Learn about the most common Boston street trees