TREE PLANTING
The Arlington DPW Tree Division is responsible for planting street trees. These trees are usually bareroot and are planted in spring and fall.
There are several ways in which residents can help to enhance the tree canopy of their neighborhood:
REQUEST A STREET TREE
To request the planting of a street tree near your home, visit the Town’s Request/Answer Center. (You will need to create an account, if you don’t already have one.) Your request will be forwarded to the Tree Division and, whenever possible, included in the next order that is placed. Once the tree has been planted, you will be asked to water the tree frequently over the first couple of years until it is established.
For further information, please contact the Tree Warden’s office (781-316-3311) or the Tree Committee at ArlTreeCmte@gmail.com.
If you would like to participate in the care of newly planted trees, please join our Adopt-a-Tree Program. Not all trees planted by the DPW are planted in response to requests. Some, especially those along Arlington’s major thoroughfares, are planted in front of businesses or other non-residential properties. These trees often need a point person to accept responsibility for watering the new tree. The Adopt-a-Tree Program ensures that these trees are cared for during their early years.
For more information on the Adopt-a-Tree Program, press here.
PURCHASE A TREE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY CANOPY PROGRAM
2023 COMMUNITY CANOPY PROGRAM
To expand the town tree canopy, the Arlington Tree Committee offers a subsidized tree planting program each spring made possible with funds from the Arlington Department of Public Works’ Trees Please Fund. These trees are available to residents and businesses for planting on private property.
-- The 2023 Community Canopy Program is getting started. Please stay tuned for tree selections and ordering information. Delivery is expected on Arbor Day, Friday, April 28, 2023.
-- Was available for 2022 -- ORDER NOW
Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud)
Quercus ellipsodalis ‘Magestic Skies’ (Pin oak)
Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Brave’ (Flowering dogwood)
PLANT A TREE ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY
Planting trees makes our community forest more varied and adds to our tree canopy. For ideas of what shade trees might be suitable for planting on private property in Arlington, consider these species. All are deciduous (lose their leaves in the fall) and many are native. (Some non-native species are included in this list due to their suitability in urban conditions). The Arlington Tree Committee recommends that residents opt for native trees when possible to encourage pollinators and native birds.
Below is access to a list of trees recommended for Arlington: