In the last 20 years, the city of Concord has lost nearly 40% of its tree canopy.
Some trees were cut down to make way for development, others died because of salty roads, most were lost to disease and blight.
In order to combat tree loss, the city is offering grants that will cover the cost of new plantings for those who apply through the sustainable tree program. Homeowners are able to select a type of tree and city crews work to select the best location for the its long-term success.
“This program, as well as some of the other programs that we are doing, are an effort to try to regain some ground on what’s been lost,” said Ted Diers, head of the Concord Conservation Commission, Tree Subcommittee.
Without the grant, tree installation usually costs residents around $300.
“We really want to draw in folks who may not be able to afford the cost of that,” said Diers.
The tree canopy has a pivotal role in keeping the city cool and healthy, Diers said.
“It provides shade, it helps to filter the air, it helps to capture rain as it falls down,” said Diers. “Where ever you live, if you go down to the center of the city on a hot day and go out to one of the parks you can feel a five-to-10 degree difference,” said Diers.
Residents buy the tree through the city and municipal crews complete the planting. The program is not new, but it has been underutilized, Diers said.
One reason for the loss of trees is the changing landscape, like the city widening sidewalks, streets and other changes to infrastructure and utilities. Winter salting of roads also has a negative impact on trees, said Diers.
“Salt is deadly to plants and is deadly to soil, it also destroys the soil,” said Diers. Another problem is pests, particularly the Emerald Ash Borer beetle.
Diers wants municipalities to consider trees as a necessity not a luxury.
“We encourage people to think about trees not just as pretty landscape but think about them as green infrastructure, the same way we think about water and sewer and streets,” said Diers.