Cambridge Celebrates Arbor Week April 28-May 3

The Cambridge Department of Public Works invites you to celebrate Arbor Week April 28-May 3, featuring activities and information that promote the City's Urban Forest.

Monday, April 28 - Celebrate Arbor Week with us by emailing your favorite tree! Whether it’s a silly note, a haiku, or just a simple thank you, send an email to cambridgetrees@cambridgema.gov with:

1. The location of your favorite tree

2. A picture of your tree

3. Your message to the tree

We’ll be sharing some of your messages in a Story Map, showcasing the trees that make Cambridge such a special place to live, work, and play! Check out some of the tree tributes here.

Tuesday, April 29 - City Arborist Dave Lefcourt and Assistant City Arborist Abby Bentley will be tabling outside City Hall from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.  Come learn about the urban forest and get a free seedling.

Wednesday, April 30 - Join City Arborist Dave Lefcourt and Assistant City Arborist Abby Bentley for a Cambridgeport/Riverside neighborhood tree walk at 5:30 p.m. Anyone interested should meet at Alberico Park, 326 Allston Street

Thursday, May 1 - Arbor Week Celebration at the Main Library. The Department of Public Works Urban Forestry Division and members from the Committee on Public Planting will be outside the Main Library from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  Members of the community are invited to come learn about Cambridge’s Urban Forest. Staff will be giving away free seedlings, coloring books, crayons and more!

Librarians will be leading an Arbor Week theme Toddler Time at 11 a.m., reading a tree-themed book to children outside the library. The manager of Borrower Services will have children's books on trees available outside to check out and take home!

Take part in the Community Grafting Project woodblock printing activities. Free and all ages are welcome!
Wood Print Activity (12-4 p.m.) and Grafting Workshop (1-3 p.m.) with TSKP x ikd. 

Saturday, May 3 - Miyawaki Forest Planting Day.  The City is partnering with Biodiversity for a Livable Climate (Bio4Climate) to plant our third Miyawaki miniforest together, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! This miniforest will be approximately 2,000 square feet at the Peabody Elementary School, 70 Rindge Ave, comprised of over 40 native tree and shrub species.  Fill out this form to sign up as a volunteer.

Monday, May 12 - There will be a commemorative tree planting with Mayor Denise Simmons, City Arborist Dave Lefcourt and Assistant City Arborist Abby Bentley at one of Cambridge's elementary schools.

If you can't attend these events, but still want to get involved, become a Cambridge Urban Forest Friend! Forest Friends take simple steps to help care for and protect Cambridge's urban forest. By helping plant, water, and advocate for the trees, volunteers help the forest thrive into the future. Forest Friends contribute to the vitality of our urban forest, protect our planet, and make our city a better place to live.