Boston Tree Alliance 2023-2024 Overview
bostontreealliance@massaudubon.org
Interested in the Boston Tree Alliance? Keep scrolling to learn more about us and hear about what we've been up to in the first year of the program!
About the Alliance
The Boston Tree Alliance (the Alliance) is a growing coalition of community-based organizations (CBOs) and non-profits dedicated to tree planting and maintenance on private land in Boston. The Alliance provides funding, technical assistance, and educational opportunities to organizations in partnership with Boston residents and property owners.
This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the City of Boston.
The Alliance is managed by the City of Boston’s Office of Climate Resilience and Mass Audubon, in coordination with Parks and Recreation and the Office of Green Infrastructure.
Program Goals
- Increase access to trees and their benefits
- Share tree planting and care best practices through public engagement and education
- Focus on under-canopied, heat island, and Environmental Justice communities
- Support the City's Heat Plan and Urban Forest Plan
Timeline
2022
A Boston Heat Plan and Boston Urban Forest Plan are released, as well as a Request for Information (RFI) followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP) by the City of Boston.
Spring 2023
Mayor Wu announced the Boston Tree Alliance at Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center in Mattapan. A microforest was planted that included 333 plants of 33 native species .
Summer 2023
Outreach activities to organizations and individuals began to inform those who might be interested in participation in the Alliance. An Alliance Coordinator was hired to work full time on the project.
Fall 2023
In September, interested organizations and individuals involved with urban forestry in Boston gathered to discuss visions for a successful coalition, as well as challenges faced for tree planting and care.
Winter 2023
The Alliance's very first round of applications opened, with five organizations selected to receive a total of $116,000 in funding : South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, Speak for the Trees, Tree Eastie, WE Tree Boston, and Boston Food Forest Coalition.
Spring 2024
Awardees attended an orientation on Tree Planting and Care led by Rich Parasiliti. Organization representatives were trained on planting and maintenance with information about data collection and reporting requirements. Some awardees began planting trees with Alliance funds.
Fall 2024
The Alliance hosted an additional Tree Planting and Care Training in October at the Boston Nature Center, presenting to over 25 attendees on planting and caring for trees. Organizations continued to plant trees, with another round of applications opening for 2025.
2024 Planting Data
There were 162* trees planted through the Boston Tree Alliance.
On the right is a map of Boston displaying where trees (green dots) were planted with Boston Tree Alliance funding. Organizations that planted trees with Alliance funding reported back with tree data.
This data included:
- location
- species and size
- planter/maintainer
- condition and notes
- photos, and more!
Besides data from the day of planting, organizations will perform follow-up inspections of the trees after 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post-planting.
All trees were planted on privately owned land in the City of Boston. Land use was a mix of residential yards (some matched through a new tree request form), affordable housing properties, a food forest, and a shared walking path.
*Awaiting data for some trees planted in November of 2024.
Trees By Neighborhood
The graphic on the right displays a pie chart with trees planted by neighborhood in Boston.
Some organizations that received funding specifically focused planting in one neighborhood while others had a wider planting range across multiple neighborhoods.
There was variation in previous tree planting experience and capacity from staff or volunteers between organizations. All organizations submitted a tree planting and care plan before funding was awarded.
Trees By Family
The graphic on the right displays a pie chart with trees planted by family (taxonomic rank).
Many organizations had limited space for tree planting and had to take into account a "right tree right place" framework. Additionally, some homeowners requested smaller trees for their yards.
Besides location, family/genus/species of trees was dependent on nursery availability, cost, organization/landowner goals (i.e fruit trees for a food forest), and other factors.
Cornaceae - ex. flowering dogwood, kousa dogwood
Fabaceae - ex. eastern redbud, honeylocust
Fagaceae- ex. scarlet oak, swamp white oak
Trees By Species
The graphic on the right displays a pie chart with trees planted by species (taxonomic rank).
Top 6 Common Trees
Flowering Dogwood
Source: Flickr
Eastern Redbud
Source: Flickr
Scarlet Oak
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sweetbay Magnolia
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Tuliptree
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Kousa Dogwood
Source: Flickr
Meet Our Awardees
South Boston NDC
South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (South Boston NDC) seeks to address issues that affect resident health in South Boston. With funds from the Boston Tree Alliance, South Boston NDC increased community residents’ access to trees and their benefits by planting trees on affordable housing properties.
Speak for the Trees
Speak for the Trees’ mission is to increase the size, health, and equity of Boston’s urban forest, with a focus on underserved and under-canopied neighborhoods. The nonprofit used funds from the Boston Tree Alliance to plant trees on private land across the City by connecting with individuals who have requested trees.
WE Tree Boston
WE Tree Boston focuses on tree education, planting, and maintenance that aims to make the West End 'greener' one tree at a time. The nonprofit urban forestry program used Alliance funds to plant trees in the West End with private landowners.
Tree Eastie
Tree Eastie , a nonprofit community based urban forestry program based in East Boston, has goals ranging from tree planting and maintenance to resident education. This past year, Tree Eastie expanded upon their yard tree planting program by connecting with private landowners in East Boston.
Boston Food Forest Coalition
Boston Food Forest Coalition (BFFC) , a nonprofit Community Land Trust, transforms vacant lots into edible food forests through community-driven processes. BFFC purchased and planted trees in a new food forest in Roxbury, creating a space for neighbors and community members to gather and steward.
What's Next
Now that the Alliance has had over a year to understand best practices, challenges, and successes around tree planting and care project implementation on private land, we seek to continue moving forward to address gaps and improve processes for the future.
Interested in joining the Alliance?
Everyone can engage with the Boston Tree Alliance in different ways! We want to hear about the needs and interests of community members and organizations in Boston. Fill out the interest form below to join the mailing list and receive updates from the Alliance.
Interested in getting a tree?
Property owners can request to have trees planted on their property by filling out the form below. Once your request is received, we will do our best to match you up with one of our organizations. Filling out this form does NOT guarantee that you will receive a tree.
Interested in applying for funding?
Nonprofits and community-based organizations who are eligible for the Alliance's funding can learn more about applying at the link below.
Have Questions?
Please email BostonTreeAlliance@massaudubon.org . Someone will be in touch with you soon!
Resources |
|---|
Trees Are Good Information for tree owners and finding an arborist |
DCR Picks and Shovels Massachusetts Urban and Community Forestry Resources |
Boston Urban Forest Plan A strategic plan to create a sustainable and equitable urban forest in Boston |
Boston Heat Plan A citywide plan to address and increase heat resilience in Boston |
