Saving Newton's Trees
By Julia Malakie, special to the Tab
Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Walk down most any street in Newton, and you will see trees, many of them large and lovely. Thirty-three thousand of those trees are on public land, most on the sidewalk berms. Today, there are many empty spots where there were once street trees. In the last 10 years 5,535 trees---including 950 in the past year -- have been removed because they were dead or hazardous. These trees are often in poor condition due to age, storm damage, disease and injury, compounded by insufficient pruning. This work is done by the forestry department; the staff has shrunk over a period of 20 years from 20 to 2; today most of the tree removal is done by outside contractors, and about 60% of the operating budget is spent on tree removal.

Unfortunately, only 1,331 trees have been planted to replace those 5,535 trees, which represents an average net loss per year of 420 trees. In 2068, Newton will have no street trees at all unless we reverse this trend.

Newton Tree Conservancy president Katherine Howard and Jack Wittenberg on a stretch of Watertown Street where many street trees have been lost. (Photo Credit: Julia Malakie)

When trees are not pruned regularly they are more vulnerable to storm damage, as could be seen in the numbers of downed trees and limbs during this part summer's storms, and following heavy snowstorms. Weakened trees are less able to survive insect infestations such as winter moth. Another potential threat, even to healthy trees, is the Asian Longhorned Beetle, an insect recently found in the Worcester area which has enormous destructive potential. Maples are particularly vulnerable to this invasive species, previously only found in parts of NYC, Chicago and New Jersey (where thousands of trees have had to be cut down to contain its spread). Newton, with its preponderance of maples (over 80% of street trees are maples, most of them Norway maples), would need to increase the diversity of its tree species very rapidly to compensate for the loss of those public trees.

The environmental, social and aesthetic benefits from trees include:

• absorption of carbon dioxide and air pollutants
• retention of rainwater resulting in reduced runoff and flooding during heavy rains, and less soil erosion
• reduction of the "heat island" effect of asphalt streets absorbing heat during the day and releasing radiant heat at night
• lower energy costs due to more moderate summer temperatures
• longer pavement life due to reduced heating and cooling
• buffering of sound
• traffic calming, by making roads appear narrower
• protection of pedestrians from cars, sun and rain
• more appealing retail shopping areas
• privacy and screening from streetlights for residents
• enhancement of property values

We have a responsibility to preserve these benefits for future generations, as well as for our own enjoyment. A group of residents has recently helped establish the Newton Tree Conservancy, Inc., a non-profit organization, to raise public awareness through community outreach and tree stewardship programs, and fund enhanced tree planting and maintenance programs. Newton is only one of many municipalities with insufficient funding for tree maintenance. Successful tree foundations have been formed all over the country, from Sacramento, CA, to Burlington, VT.

The Newton Tree Conservancy's kickoff will take place on Sunday, October 26th, 12-5 pm, at Newton City Hall. There will be guided Tree Walks (at Newton Cemetery, weather permitting), lectures, tree planting and children's activities. Visit www.newtontreeconservancy.org, for more information.

Julia Malakie is a professional photographer and longtime Newton Resident. She is a founding director of the Newton Tree Conservancy.