The National Arbor Day Foundation has once again recognized Manchester-by-the Sea a ‘Tree City USA.’ The Friends of Manchester Trees (FOMT) celebrated this honor at its Members Annual Meeting last Wednesday, October 25.
FOMT President Jody Morse thanked Ann Harrison, chair of the Select Board and Shawn Johnson and Ruth Fitzgerald of the DPW as she presented them with the new Tree City signage that is posted on Pine and School Streets.
“This award is a tribute to the partnership between the Town and the Friends of Manchester Trees,’ said Jody. “Our ongoing work to maintain and increase our tree canopy reflects a shared commitment across many departments in town and I thank you for that.”
While Massachusetts boasts 91 Tree Cities, Manchester-by-the-Sea is proud to be ranked number 16 as the longest-running active Tree City community. To achieve the title and the honors, a community must meet standards for expenditures, forestry management, tree policies, and observance of Arbor Day.
Manchester’s public shade trees cool our streets, clean our air and water, provide habitat for wildlife, and support our health and well-being. You just need to look around town to appreciate the beauty of our fall foliage this season, and we are already making plans for new tree plantings in the spring.
Friends of Manchester Trees Elects new Board of Directors
With the trees at Tuck’s Point displaying their full fall colors, the Friends of Manchester Trees gathered to elect a new Board of Directors for the coming year. Over 30 members attended the event, which included a presentation of Manchester’s 31st national Tree City USA award, a picnic lunch, and an informative ‘tree walk’ led by Tom Henderson, the Manchester Tree Warden. The Friends of Manchester Trees is a local, all-volunteer non-profit founded in 1973. We work with the Town to enhance, manage, and preserve our vital public tree canopy.
