The controversial BBAC approval for the removal of a large Ailanthus tree on Marlborough Street between Massachusetts Avenue and Charlesgate East served to focus the Garden Club of the Back Bay’s attention on the lack of street trees on this block. With the support of both The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay and the Charlesgate Alliance, the Garden Club has been working with the Parks Department to plant 23 new trees on this block this spring. There are very few trees on the north side of the street and NO trees on the south side. Working with Max Ford-Diamond of the Parks Department, we proposed 23 plantable spaces marked on the image accessed here: SKM_C284e18012212530, although final locations are contingent on the location of utilities, light poles, and signage.
Residents of the block have been contacted to volunteer to water the trees near their homes. The Garden Club will put “gators” after the planting that need to be filled with a hose once a week over the summer. Residents have also been asked to allow the use of their hose connections.
Anyone interested in helping defray the cost of this project is encouraged to make a tax-deductible contribution to The Garden Club of the Back Bay to help pay for continued maintenance, pruning, and fertilization of the trees for the first three years after planting. Checks may be made payable to The Garden Club of the Back Bay and mailed to Margaret Pokorny, 384 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA 02115, or you may donate online at http://www.gardenclubbackbay.org/donate/
For more information on the project, email mpok384@gmail.com.
