Arbor Week 2019

City of Cambridge Celebrates “Arbor Week” April 22-26

A Series of Events to Celebrate Cambridge's Urban Forest

Cambridge, MA – April 8, 2019 – The Cambridge Department of Public Works invites you to celebrate Arbor Week Apr. 22-26, featuring activities and information that promote the city’s Urban Forest. 

Monday, April 22 – NEW! Cambridge Trees Geocache Series. The City Arborist has hidden a series of geocaches and one geocache travel bug close to some of his favorite locations in the City. Geocaching is a global scavenger hunt using GPS coordinates that encourages people to explore and discover new places. To learn more and to download the app, visit https://www.geocaching.com/play. Good luck! Also beginning Monday, poems about trees will be displayed in various neighborhoods around the City for residents to enjoy.

Tuesday, April 23 –City Arborist Dave Lefcourt will be tabling outside of City Hall from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. to share information about trees and hand out seedlings and other materials to help inform residents about the important role trees play in the City.

Wednesday, April 24 – City Arborist Dave Lefcourt will be hosting a tree planting on Wednesday, April 24 at 9 a.m. at the Kennedy-Longfellow School, 158 Spring Street. All are welcome to attend. Dave Lefcourt will later lead a “Tree Walk” through Mid-Cambridge at 6 p.m.  Residents are invited to gather in front of the Main Library, 449 Broadway, to begin this information-packed session on trees and Cambridge’s Urban Forestry program.  Free bare root seedling trees will be available. 

Thursday, April 25 – Public Works will hold an event outside the Main Library from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., weather permitting.  Members of the community are invited to come collect information about trees, collect a free seedling, and partake in an Arbor Day scavenger hunt for children. Librarians will also be on hand to read a tree-themed book to children outside the library at the regularly-scheduled story time at 11 a.m.

Friday, April 26 - Students from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School will be joining the Superintendent of Urban Forestry, representatives from Green Cambridge, and Public Works staff on Friday, Apr. 26, at 9 a.m., at Danehy Park to plant 25-30 trees in commemoration of Arbor Day. (Note: event moved from original location of Alewife Linear Park).

Commemorative Tree Planting at Graham and Parks School - Students from Graham and Parks School, 44 Linnaean St., along with Mayor Marc C. McGovern and City Arborist Dave Lefcourt will be planting a commemorative Arbor Day tree at the school on Friday, April 26, at 9:15 a.m. and the public is invited to attend. 

“We’re excited to add some new events to celebrate Arbor Week this year, encouraging residents of all ages to take a moment to look around and learn more about the spectacular trees we have here in Cambridge,” said Public Works Commissioner Owen O’Riordan.

Can’t attend these events but still want to get involved?  It’s easy to help by participating in the City’s “Adopt-A-Tree” to support street trees and help maintain our urban forest. The Adopt-A-Tree program lets residents search for a street tree near an address (your home, business, school, etc.) and commit to keeping it healthy by watering it and tending to the tree well.  Learn more and adopt a tree today at www.CambridgeMA.gov/AdoptATree.