According to a report released last year by researchers from Oxford University(
Oxford University Negative Emissions Report) planting trees should absolutely be one of the primary tools to offset climate change. It is also one of the most cost effective ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and reduce the impact of ocean acidification. Too many of Newburyport's trees are in a sad state of decline or have been toppled by high winds. Although it is hard to see or measure the immediate impact, we need to do everything we can to protect what we have and replace what we've lost. Fifteen years ago, my husband and I participated in a city sponsored project to plant saplings along High Street on Bartlett Mall. It seemed impossible that we'd ever see any real benefit but already the trees have almost doubled in size, providing a fair amount of shade for the park benches that line the pathway next to Superior Court.
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| Bartlett Mall Trees planted fifteen years ago now doubled in size! |
A group of volunteers are working behind the scenes to raise funds for filling in many of our bare areas along High Street with more trees. Last month, Friends of Newburyport Trees board member Jane Niebling recruited me to fill a vacancy on their board. Being a former backyard tree climber, I enthusiastically accepted. FoNT is a non-profit that started in 2004 in response to the unfortunate removal of a magnificent Copper Beech tree in the South End.
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Copper Beech in decline near end of Fair Tree.
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Some other examples of enormous Copper Beech trees can be seen on High and Merrimack Streets. (pictured below) They are remarkable for their size and smooth elephant-hid-like bark which provides a preface surface for carving ones initials. Unfortunately, they are slow growing and rarely planted any more. It was because of the foresight of a few individual homeowners that we are enjoying their grandeur one hundred years later. Friends of Newburyport Trees, in collaboration with the Tree Commission and DPS, hopes to keep Newburyport green and beautiful for our next generations. And with the dire predictions for climate change, the time is now.
FoNT depends on grant writing, private donations and the help of our volunteers to accomplish this goal. Look for our website soon to launched announcing our upcoming projects in need of your support. Please consider a donation without delay and send to Friends of Newburyport Trees, PO Box 1155, Newburyport, MA 01950. For more information or to offer help you can write us at fontrees@gmail.com.
