Trees in Town
Celebrating LONGMEADOW'S TREES
By Seth Stutman | Photos by Longmeadow Tree Committee and Stephan Platzer
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors April 2025
April 22nd is Earth Day and April 25th is Arbor Day, but between our tree belt and green spaces, every day is Arbor Day in Longmeadow! Let's learn about our precious pines, mighty maples and beautiful birches!
TREES IN LONGMEADOW
Leah Grigorov, Longmeadow Tree Warden & Conservation Agent
Look out your window. Drive through Longmeadow. Can you find large, beautiful trees? Most of those trees are there because people planted them. Now imagine what your town would look like without any of these trees! We owe a debt of gratitude for these pillars of green in our communities to the hard work, vision, and foresight of those who came before us. They recognized the social, economic, and environmental benefits of community trees and forests and made sure that they left this valuable legacy to future generations. Now it is your turn to leave the same legacy to our future and improve our community forests through tree planting.
Trees provide us with a multitude of benefits. They help clean our air and water, they provide shade and reduce the urban heat island effect, and they can result in lower health conditions (particularly noted is a decrease in asthma in children). On top of what they can do for the environment, they can also bring neighbors together and beautify our town. We owe it to our future to plant more trees!
The Longmeadow Tree Warden and Tree Committee have been working diligently to establish guides and resources to assist with not only an increased volume of properly-planted trees in town, but also making sure that the right tree is being planted in the right place. These resources can be accessed by either going to the Longmeadow Tree Committee's webpage, or by emailing the Tree Warden directly; she will be happy to hear that you'd love to know more about how to not only keep greening Longmeadow, but you want to do it in a way that sets up the tree for its best chance of survival!
MEET LONGMEADOW’S TREE WARDEN
Leah Grigorov has held this position since August 2023. In her role, she sits on the Longmeadow Tree Committee and is tasked to serve and protect not only public shade trees (which are all of our trees along the streets and roadways) but also all of the trees on parklands, school properties, and town facility properties. As a Tree Committee member, she is able to provide a town-staff perspective for priority needs in town, such as tree removals, planting locations, and future planning efforts.
On the back-end of her job, Leah has overseen the planting of over 200 public shade trees, the removal of over 200 high-risk trees, held 14 public shade tree hearings, and participated in many planning meetings to ensure tree protection measures are considered during projects in town. Trees are living beings and do not remain static, keeping Leah incredibly busy in her efforts to maintain Longmeadow's community forest.
PROTECT AND GROW LONGMEADOW’S TREE CANOPY LEGACY
The Longmeadow Town Tree Committee is a Select Board appointed committee consisting of five Town residents, the Tree Warden, and the Director of Parks and Recreation. The purpose of the Tree Committee is to promote a healthy and sustainable community forest through:
Acting as an information resource for Town residents on all matters related to Town owned trees
Researching and implementing best practices from Federal, State, Local, public and private organizations supporting community tree management
Providing public education programs on the benefits of our Town Tree Canopy
Working with other Town Committees, Departments, Schools, and Civic groups to promote Town tree preservation efforts
Seeking grants, certifications, and other assistance to support the preservation and maintenance of Town trees
Reviewing and updating Town approved regulations in coordination with the Select Board to protect the existing Town Tree Inventory
LONGMEADOW IS A MEMBER OF TREE CITY USA
Longmeadow has been recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry and preserving our Town Tree Canopy. It is the 22nd year the town has earned this national designation. Each year the Tree Committee in conjunction with the Longmeadow DPW files an application for this highly regarding certification.
The Arbor Day Foundation rates cities and towns based on several criteria, including whether they have a tree board or committee, a tree ordinance, whether they observe Arbor Day and whether they have an annual budget dedicated specifically to tree maintenance and planting.
Longmeadow has started applying for the Growth Award as well, which is an additional award issued by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize towns for outstanding tree care and community engagement.
CELEBRATING ARBOR DAY & ARBOR WEEK
April 25th at 1PM at the Longmeadow Adult Center Tree Identification Walk: Even though the leaves will just barely be popping from their buds, that doesn't mean we aren't able to identify our Longmeadow Trees! Learn how to use tree features such as bark, branching, and buds to brush up on your tree identification skills.
April 30 - May 1: The 50+ year tradition of the 4th Grade Tree Seedling Handout continues! All Longmeadow Elementary students will get seedlings at their school to plant at home—more than 200 went home last year!
Stay updated on other local events at longmeadow.org
YOUR GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL TREE PLANTING
Spring in New England is a fleeting but glorious season, and what better way to celebrate its arrival than by planting a tree? Trees not only beautify our landscapes but also provide essential environmental benefits, from cleaning the air to providing shade. Here's your guide to ensuring your new tree thrives in our sometimes-challenging climate:
CHOOSING THE RIGHT TREE FOR NEW ENGLAND:
Before you grab a shovel, consider our unique conditions. New England weather can be unpredictable, ranging from heavy snows to summer droughts. What kind of soil do you have (rocky, sandy, clay)? Local nurseries can help you choose a species that will flourish. Native trees, like maples, oaks, and birches, are often a great choice as they are well-adapted to the local conditions and can handle the fluctuating temperatures.
TREE PLANTING TIPS:
Timing is Key: Early spring, after the ground thaws (a crucial point in New England!) but before the heat of summer sets in, is the ideal time to plant. Be patient – sometimes that thaw takes a while!
Dig Deep (and Wide, and maybe through some rocks): The hole should be twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. This gives the roots room to spread, but be prepared to contend with rocks and potentially amend the soil.
Handle with Care: Gently remove the tree from its container, and loosen any circling roots.
Water Wisely: Water the newly planted tree thoroughly, and continue to water regularly, especially during dry spells. New England weather can be fickle, so monitor soil moisture even if it seems like it's been raining.
POST-PLANTING TLC:
Mulch it: A layer of mulch around the base of the tree helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. This is especially important in New England where we can experience both dry spells and heavy downpours.
Stake it (if needed): If the tree is young or in a windy location, staking can provide extra support, especially during those Nor'easters.
Protect from Pests: Keep an eye out for common New England pests like gypsy moths or tent caterpillars, and take action early to prevent them from spreading.
Planting a tree is an act of hope, a gift to the future. Grab your gardening gloves (and maybe a rock bar!) and get ready to add some green to your property!
TOP 5 GARDENING TIPS
Spring is the perfect time to get your hands dirty and your garden thriving! Here are our top five spring gardening tips to help you make the most of the season:
Spring Cleaning & Prep: Start by removing any debris left over from winter—dead leaves, branches, and old mulch. This helps prevent pests and diseases and allows new growth to emerge. Weed early while they're small and easier to remove, and prep the soil by loosening it and amending with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
Prune and Shape: Spring is the ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs, especially those that bloom on new growth. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to encourage healthy growth. As new growth appears, shape your plants to maintain their desired form and start training climbing plants or vines.
Plant with Purpose: Select plants that are suitable for our climate, soil type, and sunlight conditions. Consider starting seeds indoors for a head start on the growing season. Check the planting calendar for our region to determine the best time to plant specific flowers, vegetables, and herbs, and give your plants enough space to grow and thrive.
Water Wisely: Encourage deep root growth by watering thoroughly but less often. This helps plants become more drought-tolerant. Water in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil and reduce the need for frequent watering.
Feed and Protect: Provide your plants with the nutrients they need by applying a balanced fertilizer according to package instructions. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases and take action early to prevent them from spreading. Be prepared to cover tender plants if late spring frosts are predicted.
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