TreesMedford

10/10/2026

Leaving leaves in your yard can have significant ecological benefits because the fallen leaves naturally decompose and contribute to the health of your lawn, garden, and trees.

By letting leaves stay in your yard, you mimic natural forest ecosystems where organic matter continuously cycles nutrients and supports plant life.

While some people prefer a tidy yard—and that’s OK—embracing fallen leaves is a simple way to support wildlife, the environment, and your garden. 🍂🧡

10/07/2026

Ever wonder what these spiky little balls are?

They’re the fruit of a sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua), often nicknamed “gumballs.” Each one is made up of many small seed capsules that start green, turn brown as they mature, and eventually release their seeds.🍁🌳

Native to the eastern U.S., the sweetgum tree's star-shaped leaves are just as distinctive, especially in fall, when they can turn brilliant shades of orange, red and even purple.

Another reason to look a little closer at the trees around us! 🍂✨

10/04/2026

The colors of October are starting to arrive. 🍁

One of the best parts of this time of year is watching Medford’s canopy transform, one tree at a time.

Take a moment to look up and enjoy the show. 🍂✨

09/29/2026

Heading to Medford Oktoberfest this Saturday? Come say hi!

TreesMedford will be joining the festivities in Medford Square on Saturday, October 3, from 12–4 PM. 🌳🍂

Stop by our table to meet some of our volunteers, learn more about what TreesMedford is doing to grow and care for Medford’s urban forest, and find out how you can get involved.

📅 Saturday, October 3 | 12–4 PM
📍 Medford Square, Riverside Ave.

We’d love to see you there! 💚

09/24/2026

Fall is officially here! 🍂 But even as temperatures cool and leaves begin to change, trees still need adequate moisture heading into winter. Fall watering helps trees replenish moisture and supports their roots before the ground freezes and water becomes less available.

A few things to keep in mind this fall:

💧Prioritize young trees. Newly planted and young trees are especially vulnerable to dry conditions while their root systems are still becoming established.

💧Water deeply. A slow, thorough watering that reaches the root zone is more beneficial than frequent, shallow watering.

💧Check the soil several inches below the surface to see if it's dry before watering.

💧Trees can benefit from supplemental water well into fall, generally while the ground remains unfrozen and conditions are dry.

A little care now can help trees head into winter stronger and healthier. 💪🌳

Interested in helping care for Medford’s young public trees? Learn more about TreesMedford’s Adopt-a-Tree program:
treesmedford.org/adopts

09/24/2026

🌳💚

Thank you to the over 350 Tufts University students who are currently flooding Medford and Somerville to clean, w**d, and paint as they take part in their Day of giving!

👏❤️

09/20/2026

While you may be getting ready to put the garden hose away for the season, don’t forget that newly planted and young trees need regular watering well into the fall.

Consistent hydration helps their roots continue to establish and prepares them for the stresses of winter.

And remember: any watering vessel will do—buckets, jugs, watering cans, or whatever you have on hand. What matters most is giving your tree a good, slow drink that reaches the roots.

A little extra care now can help set your young tree up for a strong start next spring. 🌳💚

09/19/2026

One of our TreesMedford volunteers recently spotted this tree already showing shades of red and orange and asked us: Is it normal for trees to be changing color already? 🍁

The short answer: yes!

UMass reports that maples, cherries, birches, and dogwoods are already showing early fall color across the Boston/MetroWest area. Shorter days and cooler nights help trigger the seasonal changes that eventually give us our beautiful fall canopy.

Different species change at different times, so some early color in September can be perfectly normal. But drought, heat, and other stresses can also cause trees to change earlier than usual, particularly in urban environments.

So while much of Medford is still holding onto its summer green, keep an eye out for these first hints of fall. The annual transformation has begun! 🌳🍂

09/09/2026

🌳 Help us plant Medford’s first Miyawaki mini-forest!

After months of planning and site preparation, it’s finally time to get trees in the ground! Join TreesMedford to help plant the young native trees and shrubs that will grow into a dense, thriving mini-forest.

📅 Saturday, September 19
📍 Tufts Park, Medford

Want to plant? Sign up for a one-hour planting slot. No experience is necessary, all ages are welcome, and space is limited to 12 people per time slot.

👉 Sign up to plant a tree:
https://form.everestwebdeals.co/?form=a7597e7613346fcd3a028579eadff131

Want to help in another way? We’re also looking for volunteers to assist with tabling, serve as assistant section captains, help install fencing, and support site breakdown.

👉 Sign up for an event support role: https://forms.gle/ZsFn63fyNSNihLWK8

Every set of hands will help bring this community project to life. 💚

09/09/2026

TreesMedford’s Community Tree Program makes it easier and more affordable for residents across Medford to help grow our city’s tree canopy. 💚

While we continue to provide free trees to residents in Medford’s hottest neighborhoods (South Medford, Glenwood, Hillside and Wellington), residents in all other areas of Medford can request a tree for their yard for just $50, which is well below the approximate $150 actual cost. TreesMedford is subsidizing the difference to make planting a tree more accessible citywide.

Our trees are selected to thrive in Medford and come with a watering bag, soil amendment, and gel to keep the roots moist in transit. We’ll also provide guidance to help you choose the right tree for your yard and give it a strong start.

🌳 $50 trees available to residents citywide outside our free-tree areas
📅 For the best selection, request your tree by September 20
🏡 Trees are for private yards and should have enough space to accommodate their mature size
💧 Participants should be prepared to regularly water their new tree

👉 Learn more, explore available trees, and request yours: https://www.treesmedford.org/gettree
👉 Have questions? https://tinyurl.com/TreesFAQ

Every tree planted helps create a greener, cooler and more resilient Medford. Please spread the word! 🌿