Framingham's McCarthy Elementary To Get Landscape Makeover

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham's McCarthy Elementary will get a new landscape look as the school year begins. The Framingham School District is collaborating with the department of public works and the parks and recreation department to replant oak trees. Ten oak trees on school property had died over the last few years and the district made plans to replant them this coming fall.

Over the last few years there have been several different but constant stressors which have contributed to what is known as ‘oak mortality’. This issue is not unique to Framingham and is being addressed on a state and regional level as well.

“We suffered through a drought which ended 3 years ago, this began to stress out our oak population in the region and due to / immediately following that drought we had a significant gypsy moth and caterpillar outbreak,” said Kyle Grendell, Supervisor of Forestry Operations & Tree Warden at City of Framingham. “This defoliated our oak trees for another two consecutive years. Most trees can sustain these stressors for a year or two, but after three most are unable to bounce back. This is because they have depleted all of their reserve resources and could not recoup the needed nutrients. The good news is we are seeing a decline in the gypsy moth population with the rainfall amounts received since last year and expect the gypsy population to continue a downward trend allowing the remaining oak trees to bounce back.”

Robert Tremblay, Superintendent of Schools noted the trees benefit to the students and school community over the years and how their presence has been missed. “It’s unfortunate that they need to be removed, but it is an important step to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and parents who will be circulating through the grounds of the school," Tremblay said, "We look forward to working with Parks and Recreation to replace the trees that will breathe new life into our school property.”

The trees being planted in front of the school will primarily be oak and maple trees and the parks and recreation department hopes to bring a new aesthetic to McCarthy's entrance with the new landscape. "Once completed, this new landscape will complement the surrounding area and work to continue providing shade for the McCarthy community and neighborhood," said Thomas Begin, Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs, "In addition, the City will work to mill the removed trees, utilizing the logs and wood for various projects throughout Framingham.”

The plantings are tentatively scheduled to start in the fall, weather permitting, but could carry over into the spring.