It’s been a hot and dry summer in the city of Boston, with several heat advisories issued to help keep residents safe during extreme heat events. During these times, it's crucial to provide extra water to your newly planted trees. The initial 2-3 years after planting are extremely important as young trees acclimate to their new environment. Routine watering helps them carry out necessary biological functions while helping the roots become established and strong. Each week, young trees need about 10-15 gallons for every inch in diameter of the tree trunk. However, during heat advisories we recommend providing them with an additional 10-15 gallons, if possible.

Our interactive adopt-a-tree platform is your gateway to becoming a tree steward. Discover nearby trees in need of care, meticulously track your watering and care efforts, and bask in the satisfaction of watching your tree thrive. Remember, if you’re feeling the heat, the trees are feeling it too.

Read more on the City of Boston's website and take action today.

A July 21st article from The Conversation titled “Bringing forests to the city: 10 ways planting trees improves health in urban centres” argues that planting more trees in cities can significantly improve residents' health. By cleaning the air, cooling neighborhoods, reducing stress, and creating community spaces, urban forests offer a range of physical and mental health benefits. The article emphasizes that investing in green spaces is an investment in the overall well-being of city dwellers.

A May 9th article from Wired titled “City Trees Saves Lives” emphasizes the correlation between increased tree canopy and a significant decrease in emergency room visits related to heat-related illnesses. By providing shade and cooling the air, urban trees can help mitigate the heat island effect, reducing the overall temperature of a city. This can lead to a noticeable decline in heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory problems, thereby decreasing the number of people requiring emergency medical care. 

After 1 year of service through TerraCorps, it's time to wish a fond farewell to Julia Rudolph, our Community Engagement Coordinator. Julia brought such positive energy to our office, writing our weekly newsletter, working closely with our partners at Emerson College, and helping develop our volunteer partnerships. We'll miss her dearly, but her legacy and hard work lives on in the work she accomplished here.