Boston Resident Shares How City Planted a Free Street Tree Just Six Weeks After Request
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – A Boston homeowner is encouraging others across the city to take advantage of a free tree-planting program after the city installed a street tree in front of their house just six weeks after submitting a request, walking neighbors through exactly how the process worked from start to finish.
According to the resident, who shared the experience online, the process begins on the city’s official website, where homeowners can find species lists broken down into large and small tree options. The resident recommended choosing a native species with a deep root system rather than a shallow one, ultimately selecting a Swamp White Oak for their own request.
Simple Phone Call Kicks Off the Process
From there, the next step is calling Boston’s Urban Forestry Division directly, providing an address along with a top three list of preferred tree species. In this case, an arborist came out to assess the planting space the very next business day. Once approved, the city marks the sidewalk with paint to indicate exactly where the tree pit will go.
The actual planting happens with little warning. The resident said a full team of landscapers arrived unannounced and completed the entire planting in under half an hour.
A Welcome Addition Amid a Shadeless Block
The resident noted their block currently has no shade at all, making a recent heat wave especially difficult to deal with. While it could take 10 to 20 years for the newly planted tree to provide real relief, they said they’re already grateful knowing shade is eventually on the way.
In a follow-up note, the resident clarified that only the abutting homeowner is technically eligible to request a tree, though they mentioned the city never actually required proof of homeownership at any point during their own request.
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