In 1982, under the leadership of Garden Club of the Back Bay President Susan Davis, a pilot program for improving the street trees in the Back Bay was begun. Three waterside blocks of Beacon Street, between Dartmouth and Gloucester Streets, were given first attention. Club members had observed that several trees along both sides of Beacon Street were either in poor condition, or had died. Trees were fertilized (small white cups were noticeable to passers-by), and a volunteer pruner, Robert MacArthur, pruned as much as he could from the ground. The Boston Parks Department was asked to prune out additional limbs, and to take out encircling concrete to enlarge the tree pits. During that year the Parks Department budget had been cut a whopping 60% so action on these requests was not guaranteed. Neighbors were to be notified through flyers when a drought threatened so the trees could be slow watered by hose. Donations were solicited and as of October, 1982, $1,315 was collected from 21 individuals and three condominiums and management companies. Today, The Garden Club continues pruning, feeding, and inoculating trees throughout the neighborhood, and naturally, donations are always welcome. Photo below from www.bostonzest.com © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino .
