Bedford Friends of Trees

07/12/2026

Friends may know that 'forest bathing' is a respected Japanese practice that is no more or less than spending time in the quiet of a wood, with the expectation of peacfully resetting mind, heart, and soul. Researcher Qing Li has some data to put around it. Citations will be in comments.

06/12/2026

The Rose Kennedy Greenway now has official designation as an Arboretum. The Conservancy arm of rosekennedygreenway.org keeps a blog of their work, this is the June 9th post: https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/the-greenway-as-an-arboretum-what-this-means-for-boston/

This summer, we’re proud to share a milestone that reflects years of care, vision, and growth: the Rose Kennedy Greenway has been officially recognized as an arboretum! At its heart, an arboretum is a living collection of trees—thoughtfully curated, carefully maintained, and rooted in both educa...

05/12/2026

Here's a story about an ancient tree in the UK which is protected and celebrated as a living cultural, ecological, and landscape monument. Elder trees in the public landscape do not happen accidentally: they are the result of human intention across generations. What a beautiful thing.

Saving the Queen Oak, The New Forest's 700-Year-Old Tree

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...