Bedford Friends of Trees

03/20/2026

"The most recent research suggests that trees may improve driving safety. One study found a 46% decrease in crash rates across urban arterial and highway sites after landscape improvements were installed."

The University of Washington School of Environmental and Forest Sciences is a leading center for research into the impacts of street trees on traffic and pedestrian safety. This page gathers that research into clear and comprehensive reading.

A summary of social science evidence on the role of urban greening in transportation safety in cities

03/01/2026

Please check the link to register for a webinar--Weds., March 4th, 7pm-- with Dr. William Moomaw on the irreplaceable value of mature trees and the threat posed by the proposed private jet hangar expansion at Hanscom Field. Dr. Moomaw was a lead author for five IPCC reports, including one that received the Nobel Peace Prize. Bedford Arbor Resources has joined the many cosponsors of this effort. Registration: spje.org/March4

02/24/2026

Would you like to weigh in on the planning for Willson Park? The Ad Hoc Committee is calling for all of Bedford to participate in a survey. Better yet--write a letter to the Committee via the Department of Public works.
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=1gX7j3PAPEeUHw0nkhBvdVXq9NDDXghOuchHUg18LXJUQ0pHMEI0WFk4Sk9SSjgxSUo2R1ZGSDNNVi4u&route=shorturl

01/13/2026

Cambridge, September 2025. Cambridge has a solution for a thorny problem for planting new trees: they need three years of regular watering during the growing season. Trees are fitted with double water bags and ID tags. Abutters can scan the QR code, and adopt the tree by committing to watering it for three years. Great project to share with kids.

01/13/2026

Cambridgeport, August, 2025. Brick sidewalk is being laid around this tree, and has been expanded to take up a parking space. The result is an ADA compliant walkway, more room for the tree roots, and more water percolation into the soil. The original curbstone can be seen just at the foot of the tree. The roots are entangled with the curb, and so it has been left in situ.

12/31/2025

Sharing a link to a recorded seminar: Why Trees Matter for Green Development. Panelists include Senator Ed Markey, Nobel Prize Laureate Bill Moomaw, Linda Coombs of the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, and many more community leaders and advocates for a green future. Just about 90 minutes, make popcorn.

Speakers: US Senator Ed Markey & MA State Senator Cindy CreemWilliam Moomaw (Tufts U & Woodwell Climate Research Center, climate scientist, an IPCC lead auth...

09/09/2025

UMass Extension Service is an excellent place to find reliable information for home gardeners. As a follow up to our visual primer, check out this advice from UMass about fall planting of woody plants.
Fall is a good time to fertilize trees and shrubs that are already established in your garden, however you should hold off on fertilizing *newly planted* trees and shrubs to prevent a flush of growth. Wait until after mid-October, and then use a slow-release fertilizer in order to avoid a flush of new growth.

Why Plant in Fall? From mid‐August to mid‐October air temperatures and warm, damp soil conditions promote vigorous root growth. A good rule of thumb: plant by Columbus Day weekend! Plants need at least six weeks to establish before the ground freezes!

09/07/2025

Newer research indicates that autumn is the best time to plant a tree. Below is a reposted visual primer of proper planting. Often, the root flare is covered in soil when you get the tree at a garden store, due to the way it is lifted from soil for shipment. Be sure to pull away the soil until three roots are visible-that's the root flare.

08/17/2025

Corner of Fresh Pond Pkwy & Rindge, across from the Alewife T station. This is a low income housing project, January 2024. Construction crew cordoned off the rootzone and agilely worked within the constraints.

08/15/2025

Do you have old apple trees in your neighborhood? You might have free food there for the taking. Many Bedford yards are graced with old orchard trees, which despite their age and gnarled appearance may continue to produce good fruit. Just another reason to value and take care of our heritage trees.
This year’s harvest is not as good as that of 2024, but we were able to gather enough fruit to make two pints of applesauce. I cut up the fruit to remove the core and any brown spots before simmering it with a couple of cinnamon sticks until soft (~20 minutes). Delicious!