In 2019, with the support of our hard-working DPW employees, over 50 volunteers helped to plant 399 trees in Northampton, Florence and Leeds! In total, volunteers spent over 1,800 hours planting, pruning, caring for trees and supporting educational events, including “the Great Tree Bicyle Tour” in partnership with Friends of Northampton Trails. Volunteers also gave away over 500 baby tree whips on Arbor Day in April.

In 2019, our Tree Warden Rich Parisiliti, Jr., was awarded Tree Warden of the Year by the Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association. Other awards included our 13th year of sustaining Tree City USA status, and the Gold Leaf Award for Landscape Beautification from the International Society of Arboriculture, an honor shared by the Tree Warden, the Public Shade Tree Commission and the volunteer organization Tree Northampton, Inc.

The Tree Warden is also developing his own tree nursery with the goal of growing many of the town’s trees on site.

With the pandemic affecting our ability to plant in 2020, we still managed to plant over 200 trees while social distancing and taking other precautions. Due to several generous donations, we were able to purchase a set of tools for EVERY volunteer in order to eliminate sharing. 

While 2021 is sure to bring more challenges with planting, we are hoping with our increased knowledge and our strong planting and pruning crew, we will be able to accomplish our goals.

Trees planted within 20 feet of the right-of-way are available free from the City of Northampton through the “Setback Tree Program.” Trees planted further from the street suffer less exposure to winter salts, have more space to develop healthy roots, and live longer. Setback trees provide beauty and shade to walkers and bikers, calm traffic, and enhance habitat. They mitigate stormwater runoff, decreasing the risk of flash floods and protecting our rivers and streams.