1. Elms are now crowned in soft green seed clusters. They are among the earliest flowering trees. Look up at the fountain shaped trees and you will see the soft fuzzy looking tops. Look up and then jot down the address: We are trying to identify all the Elm trees in Cambridge so that we can watch out for early signs of Dutch Elm disease. Send in the addresses to us by replying. This is part of the Tree Scavenger Hunt.  Those who find ten elm trees in Cambridge will get special mention. You will be surprised how many elms we have in Cambridge! This week in bloom are the Callery Pears, as well as cherries along the river.

2. Recent NASA research proves what a difference lack of tree canopy can mean. Atlanta currently has a 32% tree cover area is loosing 55 acres of tree cover a day. Massachusetts is loosing 2500 acres of open space a week. Boston has 21.2 percent tree cover. American Forests, a conservation group, says urban areas need 40 percent tree cover to maintain healthy air, normal temperatures and clean water. Have you ever compared the temperature in the summer in tree lined areas such as West Cambridge, with the streets of Area 4, 3 and East Cambridge? And the resultant need for air conditioners and the electricity to run them? Just stand in front of City Hall some hot day and then compare it with the nearby section of Bishop Allen Drive. A recent article in the Boston Globe said: “The “heat island effect”, a dome of heat that builds over denuded urban areas of sunlight absorbing asphalt and roofs, has pushed Atlanta temperatures between 8 and 10 degrees higher than in the surrounding countryside, said a NASA scientist, Dale Quattrochi.” [Wed. April 7, p. A 3 or
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/097/nation/Atlanta_tries_to_preserve_a_shady_side+.shtml

3. [ From: Frank Duehay:
“A very important bill, the Community Preservation Act, is being heard at the
State House on Wednesday.  The Council voted 8-0-1 to endorse the bill last
week upon my motion.  You can get further info by calling M. Drury or Lisa
Yanakakis.  Briefly it would authorize upon acceptance by local referendum any
community to establish a 1% real estate transfer tax or 3% surcharge on the
property tax or combination, the proceeds to be used for open space acquisition,
affordable housing and historic preservation.  This bill is important because
it would be a source of dedicated funds for those purposes.  Similar
legislation regarding Cape Cod was signed into law last year.”  Frank Duehay

4. Open space/ historic preservation funding. Representative Jarrett Barrios, and Robb Johnson of Cambridge Tree Project went to testify at Fanueil Hall on Monday- the turnout was terrific. Written testimony was submitted. Call and write Congressman Capuano: he spent most of the testimony time talking about how western folks just want to use the open space for mining and to make money.

5. Poetry Contest and Tree Scavenger Hunt and Arbor Days were announced at Council and in the latest Chronicle. Your chance to write that poem on trees you’ve been wishing to write. Summerbridge students have been collecting tree facts and tree care information.

6. WATER ALERT!. Although rain keeps being predicted, only twice has it rained lately. Drought has caused brush fires in Massachusetts; remember to water your trees. Trees need 30 gallons of water a week for the first six years [one hour of trickle from a hose a week]. With the drought this spring, large trees need water. Identify elms in your neighborhood and make sure they are watered well. This will help strenghten them against problems such as Dutch Elm disease. To check if there is enough water, make a little hole down two inches and feel for damp: if it is dry, water!

7. Paula Duggin writes: “I am volunteering time to Cambridge Tree Project to assist in a variety of tasks. For starters I am organizing the many names of people who have attended events into a workable database. With this tool in hand reaching people and notifying you of important project issues will be easier. I am delighted to be part of this effort and hope to meet you some time as I become more active.”

8. Tree walks held March 21 in Mid Cambridge and April 17 in Agassiz/Harvard were successful. Larry captivated his audience with facts and information. Upcoming Tree walks: May 1 Inman Sq/ Area 3 &4; May 8 North Cambridge, May 15, Fresh Pond May 22.

9. Elms: identify & water. Community Preservation & Backyard ordinance

Cambridge Tree Project Calendar

Fri. April 23, May 7, 21 7-7:45 a.m. Early Risers Horticultural Club with Dennis Collins, Curator of Plant collections. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Sat. April 24 Magazine Beach Clean up. Begins 9:30 a.m.
Sat. April 24 10-12 noon. Planting and Transplanting: Demonstrated techniques for Trees and Shrubs. $22.  617-524-1718 ext. 162.

Wed. April 28, May 5, 12, 19 26 and June 2. 10:30-12:30 p.m. Identification of Temperate Woody Plants. $115. Arnold Arboretum. 617-524-1718 ext. 162.

April 28 Growing a Tree Business, Wayland. Contact Mass. Arborists Assoc. 508-653-3320

April 29 Poetry Celebration at Central Square Library Thursday, April 29, 1999, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 46 Pearl Street. Refreshments will be served. Co-sponsored by, Central Square Library, Little Women’s Club, & C. Tree Project. call 349-4012.

May 1, Tree Walk Inman Square, Area 3&4. Meet at corner of Cambridge & Hampshire St. 9-10 a.m. demo, 10-12 walk and next steps.

May 1. Old-Growth Forest at Mt. Wachusett. Reg. With L. Frank Shea 978-343-4836 or kbler@tiac.net. Storm cancels trip. Boston Chapter of Appalachian Mountain Club.

Sunday May 2. Arbor Day and Bird Migration Celebration at Mount Auburn Cemetery. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Walking tours of Mount Auburn’s Magnificent Trees. 2:30 tree planting.

Monday May 3 ARBOR DAYS: Tobin .197 Vassal Lane grades 3 &4. 12noon-12:45; Agassiz 1:30-2:15. 28 Sacramento

Tuesday May 4 ARBOR DAYS: Fitzgerald 70 Rindge Ave. grades 3-5 from 9-9:45am

Wed. May 5 ARBOR DAYS: Harrington am 8:45- 9:30 a.m. at 850 Cambridge St. -Graham & Parks 10-10:45 a.m. at 15 Upton St. 3rd, 4th & 5th grade

Sat. May 8 North Cambridge Tree Walk. Massachusetts Ave. at Clarendon Street. 9-12

Tuesday May 11 ARBOR DAYS: Kennedy 158 Spring St. grades 3-4  at 8-8:45 a.m.. Fletcher grades 3-6 at 9:15-10 a.m. 89 Elm St

Wednesday May 12 ARBOR DAYS: King 12-12:45 p.m. 100 Putnam Avenue.  Longfellow  1:15- 2:00 p.m. 359 Broadway5th grade  45 min }

Thursday  May 13 ARBOR DAYS: Haggerty .8:15-9 a.m. at 110 Cushing St. ; Peabody 9:30-10:15 a.m. 44 Linnaean 3rd grade

Sat. May 15 East and Kendall Square Tree Walk. Meet at Broadway & Main. 9-12 noon.

Sun. May 16 Lilac Sunday at Arnold Arboretum. 125 Arborway Jamaica Plain.

Thurs. May 20, 27 and June 3. 7-9 p.m. and Sat June 5 and Thurs. June 10 6-8 p.m. Framework Trees of the N. E. Landscape $110. Arnold Arboretum. 524-1718 ext. 162.

Sat. May 22 Fresh Pond & Highlands Tree Walk. Meet at Concord Ave. & Griswold

Thurs. May 27 A Cambridge Garden. 10-noon $18 includes copper beech, dogwood, katsura, lilac, Hinoki false cypress. Call Arnold Arboretum 524-1718 ext. 162.

June 1, 2, and 3. Pruning Trees/Ornamentals. Waltham. Contact Umass Extension. 413-545-0895
Sat. June 12  Cambridge Common and Area 9 Tree Walk. Mass Ave. & WaterhouseSt.
Sat. Sept. 18  Riverside and Central Square Tree Walk. Meet at City Hall
Sat. Sept.  25  Brattle Street and Harvard Square Tree Walk. Mass. Ave. & Garden St.
Sat. Oct. 2  Cambridgeport: Meet at Mass. Ave. & Main St.

Return to homepage   Return to Cambridge Tree Project Bulletin page