Salem, Massachusetts – The City of Salem was named a 2019 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation this month, in honor of the City’s commitment to effective urban tree management.
Salem achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
“Over the past several years Salem’s commitment to our public trees has grown substantially,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “From major increases in our tree planting and maintenance budgets, to the comprehensive tree ordinance and Tree Commission, to our grant-funded city-wide tree inventory and maintenance plan, we are committed to keeping our community green as an important measure to address air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection against extreme heat and flooding. I am pleased that Salem has earned this distinction and we will remain dedicated to keeping our tree canopy flourishing throughout our community.”
“This spring has been a busy planting season in Salem under the guidance of Tree Warden, Robert LeBlanc,” said Darleen Melis, Chair of the Salem Tree Commission. “Through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, 33 trees have been planted in the vicinity of Derby Square, many with greatly expanded tree pits that are designed to better handle storm water. Through the Community Block Development Grant, 65 additional trees are also being planted in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Thanks to donations contributed by residents to the Salem Tree Fund, the Tree Commission and Warden will be able to plant the first Century Trees this fall, in anticipation of Salem’s 400th Anniversary celebrations in 2026. Salem is working hard to merit the Tree City USA designation.”
“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community firsthand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Abor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Salem are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”
The Arbor Day Foundation recently launched the Time for Trees initiative, with the unprecedented goal of planting 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspiring 5 million tree planters by 2022. With Tree City USA recognition, Salem has demonstrated a commitment to effective urban forest management and doing its part to help. More about Tree City USA recognition can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA and more about Salem’s commitment to public trees can be found at www.salem.com/trees.
The Salem Tree Commission’s website offers many useful tree-oriented features and tools, including a link to the i-Tree Design program to help homeowners select the most beneficial locations for planting their own trees. In the future, the website will be used to organize community volunteers to assist in neighborhood tree plantings.
