Published in the April 20, 2016 edition
LYNNFIELD — The town will celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, April 30 in recognition of the crucial value trees play in our past and in our lives.
The Tree Committee invites the public to attend its annual Arbor Day ceremony and celebration of the town’s trees on the town common from 10 a.m. until noon. After a reading of the proclamation by a town official, committee members will plant an apple tree adjacent to the common.
“Apple trees have a rich history in Lynnfield and honoring them brings us closer to the past while planting our future,” commented Tree Committee Chairman Jane Bandini.
Following the tree planting two students from the Lynnfield High School Science and Sustainability class will present their scientific work on a local tree.
The students will explain how biomass is determined and the process by which a tree grows through photosynthesis. The students identified the tree and determined the amount of carbon dioxide it removes as well as the tree’s natural mitigation of pollutants created by human activity.
Following the students’ presentation, participants will be invited to join a certified arborist from SavATree on a walking tour of the various trees on the common.
“The arborist will introduce us to some unusual and interesting trees that we pass by every day in town. You’ll learn about their defining characteristics and how these types of trees can be utilized in your own backyard,” Bandini added.
This informative, free program is made possible through a grant from the Lynnfield Cultural Council and through the generosity of SavATree, which will provide a tree seedling for each attendee. “It is a great time to plant trees in celebration of Arbor Day,” she said.
If extreme weather conditions dictate, the rain date for this Arbor Day celebration will be moved to Saturday, May 7 at the same time and place. Up-to-date information will be available through the Villager and the town’s website at www.town.lynnfield.ma.us. Look for the “Tree Committee” button on the Conservation Commission page.
Tree Committee’s goals
The Lynnfield Tree Committee, a subcommittee of the Conservation Commission, is comprised of town residents who are interested in volunteering to provide stewardship, education and advocacy to promote and foster an appreciation for our town’s natural tree resources.
The Tree Committee’s goals include the protection and restoration of Lynnfield’s natural tree resources which provide shade and ornamentation to the town’s streets, create habitats for wildlife, enhance property values and provide natural privacy.
The Tree Committee also seeks to educate the community about the environmental importance of the town’s trees which provide cleaner air, decreased noise, climate control and flood prevention.
The Committee seeks to work in partnership with planners, developers and community members to preserve existing trees and replant those lost to disease. Working with Townscape, the Department of Public Works and Lynnfield’s Tree Warden, the Tree Committee hopes to maintain and enhance the character, charm and natural rural beauty of Lynnfield for future generations.
New members are always welcome. Those interested in participating or to obtain more information, contact Conservation Administrator Betty Adelson at 781-334-9495 or e-mail: badelson@town.lynnfield.ma.us.
