Northampton now has a complete inventory of its public shade trees!
Thanks in part to funding from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Northampton hired the Davey Resource Group in 2016 to conduct a first-time inventory of the City's public shade trees. For more information on the project, please read the Mayor's press release (PDF).
The tree inventory, which is actively maintained by the Tree Warden, can be accessed via MyTreeKeeper.
Inventory highlights
- Northampton has over 10,000 public shade trees worth $16 million, delivering $1.3 million annually in energy savings, carbon sequestration, stormwater mitigation, and property value increases.
- Half of the public shade trees are in good to excellent health, and half are in fair to poor health.
- Maple trees dominate the shade tree canopy (30%), but recent plantings are increasing species diversity and improving age & health distribution of the shade tree canopy.
- Over 2,000 new planting sites along the public right-of-way have been identified, allowing the City to plant 200-250 additional trees each year.
Help expand Northampton's Urban Forest
To expand the City's urban tree canopy, Northampton is offering to plant healthy, young shade trees on private property within 20 feet of the public right-of-way. If you are a property owner who would like to host a tree, and can commit to watering the tree regularly, please fill out the appropriate tree form.