Tree Spree Coming To Salem Starting This Spring

SALEM, MA — The trees are coming to Salem.

With the city's selection for the state Greening the Gateway Cities Tree Planting program, the Department of Conservation and Recreation foresters will plant 2,000 new trees on private property and 400 trees on city property starting this spring.

Residents who live in the "planting zones" may be able to have trees planted in in their yards for free with a commitment to water their new trees.

The first 40 city trees will be planted along Lafayette Street and Bridge Street.

The DCR works with gateway cities to increase the "tree canopy cover" in urban residential areas, especially environmental justice neighborhoods, to reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, increase property values and create a safer, healthier environment for residents.

"Over the past several years Salem's commitment to our public trees has grown substantially," said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. "From major increases in our tree budget, to the comprehensive tree ordinance and new tree commission, to our city-wide tree inventory and maintenance plan, we are committed to keeping our community green to address air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection against extreme heat and flooding."

Salem Sound Coastwatch is Salem's non-profit partner helping with outreach to encourage people to sign up for trees, learn about tree care and become tree stewards. The city also plans to remove some pavement and add soil to create more areas for tree-planting with cities and non-profits encouraged to turn vacant lots into planting sites.

"The greening the Gateway Cities program serves as an excellent example of a strong partnership between state government, local municipalities, and dedicated organizations working together to benefit Massachusetts residents for generations to come," Gov. Charlie Baker. "Increasing tree cover in our Gateway Cities helps to both address climate change and create a healthier environment for urban residents."

Fitchburg, Lowell and Westfield will also see more trees.

"With the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, we are improving equity in communities with significantly less greenery and shade, improving the quality of life for residents by providing cooler neighborhoods and lowering energy bills," Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides said. "A significant expansion in trees also means cleaner air, less flooding, more beautiful neighborhoods, and a boost to the local economy by creating jobs at local nurseries and within the neighborhoods for tree planting."

Residents can go here to find out if they are eligible for a tree and then contact the DCR forester phone number listed on the page to request a tree, if in the planting zone.

Those residents who do not live in the program's planting zone, but who are interested in requesting a street tree be planted on city property at their address can do so by going here.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)