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The DCR ALB Reforestation program has partnered with the Worcester County Food Bank to collect non-perishable food items from residents of the ALB quarantine zone who receive trees from the program. Your voluntary donations to the food bank can be given directly to the DCR Foresters and Planting Teams that come to work on your property. DCR will deliver your donations to the food bank. Please consider joining us in this effort to help your neighbors who are in need of assistance. To find out more about the Worcester County Food Bank, please visit |
Asian Longhorned Beetle Reforestation Program
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) was awarded $4.487 Million in federal stimulus funds for tree planting efforts in the Worcester area. The money is part of $89 million allocated by the US Department of Agriculture to 78 forest health protection projects in 20 states and the District of Columbia as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has commenced a two year reforestation program for properties located in the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) regulated area which includes the communities of: West Boylston, Boylston, Holden, Shrewsbury and Worcester. Properties in the regulated area are eligible (whether trees have been removed as part of the eradication program or not) to have trees planted at no cost to the owner by the reforestation program. DCR Foresters will make site visits to each property to discuss the tree selection and proper placement then will return with the crew(s) to plant the trees during the spring and fall planting seasons. Trees play an important role in creating a unique sense of place in our communities and while the ALB eradication process has, in many cases, brought about dramatic changes to neighborhoods on both private and public properties it has also created opportunities to plant the right tree in the right place, thereby maximizing tree health and landscape potential. Recognizing this opportunity DCR Foresters will work with property owners to select tree species and planting locations to best achieve landscaping goals such as providing shade, windbreaks, habitat for wildlife and storm water management while keeping in mind tree health and future maintenance requirements. In the spirit of diversifying the urban forest, we are offering a number of tree species for you to choose from. Enclosed are sheets describing the trees being offered. Trees will measure approximately 1.5” in diameter and stand approximately 6 feet tall at the time of planting. When you consider locations for your tree(s), please keep in mind that we cannot plant trees directly on the site where a tree was removed or near overhead utility lines. Your opinion and input on species and location(s) will be important and needed. The final decisions about how many trees will be planted on your property will be based upon a combination of input from you and the professional arboricultural judgment of the DCR Forester. We anticipate that the plantings for 2011 will commence in April (spring) and September (fall). Please note that once the trees are planted, care and maintenance will be the responsibility of you the property owner, as you have the most vested interests in seeing the successful establishment of your new trees. Please take a moment to review the attached permission form which requires your signature in two locations. The permission form gives us your consent to conduct the planting on your property. The form also asks for your commitment to care for your new tree(s) in accordance with literature that will be provided to you. Again, there is no cost to you for participation. If you would like to participate in this program, please call 508-852-8073 to speak with a DCR representative and to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you in person and discussing your tree planting options.
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