Tipping Point 01545 is very excited to spearhead Shrewsbury’s 300th Anniversary Tree Centennial. In honor of our 300th Anniversary, Tipping Point will plant 300 native trees throughout town beginning in 2027. That is a hard thing to do. In order to ensure the success of the entire project, we have proposed a pilot project of 50 trees in two municipal areas, Dean Park and the Maple Ave Recreational Area. That is why we are seeking Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding.
Over the following 2-3 years, the remaining 250 trees will be planted in a mix of areas. Some of those trees will be planted on municipal recreational areas: parks, playing fields, and neighborhood playgrounds. Others will be strategically planted to help cool neighborhoods that are too hot because of an excess of pavement, buildings, and too few trees. Still others will be planted along degraded wetlands, such as streams, ponds, and Lake Quinsigamond. And, of course, as many trees as possible will be given for free to residents to plant in their own yards.
All those planting opportunities require a mix of different state and local funding sources that will be worked out over the next few years. The process of choosing sites will include public sessions in order to make the best decisions possible.
CPC funds are separate from other Town of Shrewsbury budget items. They are raised through the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act, which Shrewsbury voted to accept in 2020. By law, at least 10% of CPC annual funds must be allocated to each of three core categories: Open Space and Recreation; Historic Preservation; and Community Housing. The bulk of CPC funds are retained for financial growth so that the value of those allocations can grow over time, benefiting everyone in town.
The glory of trees is vast. Trees are beautiful. They shade and cool areas better than anything else. They filter and remove a dangerous pollutant from vehicles and wildfire smoke – particulate matter – which causes asthma and worsens pulmonary and cardiovascular disease. Trees raise property values. They mitigate flooding and erosion. They are calming, decrease depression and anxiety. Trees host many hundreds of beneficial insects, including butterflies, that feed our birds. They provide food and shelter for numerous local species. They sequester carbon. Properly sited, native trees can live over 100 years. Trees are beautiful.
Shrewsbury has lost a great deal of its tree canopy to development over the last 35 years. Let’s begin to with this pilot project of 50 trees, and then carefully plant them throughout town for all the public and ecological benefits they give!