Bedford Friends of Trees

09/28/2026

In Staffordshire, England, lies an ancient forest with a tree thought to have inspired the heroic character of Treebeard in JRR Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings" novels. Treebeard is a walking talking member of the race of Ents, described as "the oldest living thing that still walks beneath the Sun upon this Middle-earth."

LORD of the Rings fans rejoice! Treebeard, leader of the walking, talking trees known as Ents, appears to be alive and well in the heart of a Midlands beauty spot. These photos, snapped by my good …

09/28/2026

The most photographed tree an ancient forest in Staffordshire, England, is believed to have inspired Treebeard, a character in JRR Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings" novel series. Treebeard was a walking talking tree of the race of Ents, described as "the oldest living thing that still walks beneath the Sun upon this Middle-earth."

LORD of the Rings fans rejoice! Treebeard, leader of the walking, talking trees known as Ents, appears to be alive and well in the heart of a Midlands beauty spot. These photos, snapped by my good …

09/10/2026

Bedford's Arbor Resources Committee invites members of the public to attend tonight's meeting. We will be holding a tree hearing considering the proposal to remove two Norway maples from the front entrance area of Town Hall, to make room for an improved accessible entrance. We will also be proposing native planting for the area. Please see link to meeting agenda in comments.

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09/08/2026

Have you noticed maple trees in your neighborhood looking especially ragged this fall? Here are some answers. Thanks to Jane Holland of Bedford for sharing the link.

Several maples (Acer spp.) especially noticeable on Norway maple (Acer platanoides) are infected with tar spot (Rhytisma spp.) and anthracnose, there are several fungal pathogens that may be responsible. The anthracnose is causing the browning of the leaves and contributing to significant early leaf drop. The combination of the two infections is not typically fatal, but the visual impact has raised concerns and will likely impact fall color.

Excerpt from our September 4 Landscape Message – East Region Report

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/landscape-message-september-4-2026

The LANDSCAPE MESSAGE is a regular update to inform and help guide land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape.

Each edition includes valuable information from sites throughout Massachusetts, including growing degree day accumulation, soil temperature, precipitation amounts, and plant phenology. Detailed reports on cultural practices and the status of insects, diseases, and weeds of interest to landscapers, arborists and turf managers are also regular features.

Photo: Tar spot (Rhytisma spp.) and anthracnose by Kit Ganshaw

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09/02/2026

For kids who love Tolkein-kids of all ages. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaS8J4fNW6s/

08/31/2026

Smithsonian article on the work of Bob Leverett in W. Mass-new findings on the climate fighting benefits of preserving older trees.

Ecologists thought these trees had long been torn down in New England. Then Bob Leverett proved them wrong

08/12/2026

Want to see some transformation? Tucson gets about 11" of water per year. This neighborhood starting "planting water" which restored the groundwater reserves over thirty years. The neighborhood has been transformed from a sun-roasted heat sink to a shaded oasis.

Permaculture instructor Andrew Millison journeys to Tucson, Arizona...

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