Key Dates

We invite you to our 2nd Lynn Tree Committee Meeting on Thursday, October 17, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm online via Zoom. This virtual meeting will be recorded, and both the recording and presentation slides will be posted here.

Click here to register!

The goals of this session are to:

1. Review current urban forestry efforts in Lynn (Fall 2024 planting season, tree inventory progress, and community engagement)
   
   
2. Discuss next steps and a timeline for forming this advisory group, which will be a great way to collaborate as we craft Lynn’s first Urban Forest Plan

Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Place: Lynnfield Meeting House, 617 Main Street, Lynnfield

The Lynnfield Tree Committee invites you to explore the treetops with tree climber and animal rescuer Andrew Joslin as he shares his love of the outdoors and trees. Joslin's passion for nature and his ability to navigate the treetops have made him a respected figure in his community. He believes that “everyone should have the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world." 

Joslin's journey into the canopy began in 2005, ignited by a captivating article about researchers studying redwood treetops. This newfound inspiration led him to combine his lifelong passion for birding with a self-taught education in recreational tree climbing. Over the years, Joslin honed his skills, exploring hidden treetops and eventually sharing his expertise with others. His unique skill set also extends to animal rescue, as he specializes in retrieving cats from trees and assisting wildlife officials in returning birds to their nests. With his dedication and knowledge, Andrew continues to be a valuable resource for both humans and animals alike, providing a glimpse into the fascinating world of treetop living. 

This lecture will include discussing the challenges of retaining trees, trees varieties and how important trees are to group within the landscape that he encounters in his professional career as an owner of his own tree work company. He will include anecdotes and videos from his wildlife escapades. 

In addition to his work in the canopy, Joslin is an accomplished musician and artist. He illustrated Richard Preston's 'The Wild Trees' published by Random House in 2006. More recently, he also illustrated Joan Maloof's 'Nature's Temples - A Natural History of Old-Growth Forests' published by Princeton University Press in 2023. 

All ages are welcome at this free event. Light refreshments will be served.

10:00 am - 11:00 am via Zoom. Details coming soon!

Dan Small, Lynn Woods Park Ranger and Tree Warden for the City of Lynn, coordinated a large volunteer event to take care of the Lynn Woods. Multiple crews headed out to prune, clean garden beds, maintain trails, make repairs, and remove invasive species from 9am - 1pm. 

The Urban Forestry Fellow led an invasive species removal crew who cleared an entire section of trail and bordering forest from invasive oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), burning bush (Euonymus alatus), barberry (Berberis thunbergii), and Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica).

Lynn Public Schools Project Manager for Early College and Innovation Pathways, Marysa Angelli, coordinated a speaking opportunity for LPS youth to learn about urban forestry and arboriculture careers. 

23 Lynn Classical High School students in Victoria Townsend's AP Environmental Science class learned about trees, urban heat island effect, and public and private sector urban forestry jobs and asked their questions.

We hosted a Lynn Tree Committee Information Session on Thursday, September 19, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm online via Zoom. This virtual meeting was recorded, and both the recording and presentation slides are posted here.

Click here to view the presentation slides (PDF)!

Click here to view the meeting recording (video)!

The goals of this session were to:

1. Review the results of the Lynn Tree Committee Interest Form, which was open 8/5/2024 – 9/13/2024, and which resulted in a fantastic collection of ideas for forming the committee
   
   
2. Discuss next steps and a timeline for forming this advisory group, which will be a great way to collaborate as we craft Lynn’s first Urban Forest Plan

The Interest Form was open 8/5/2024 through 9/13/2024, available in English and Spanish, and received over 35 separate responses.

We planned an information session about the formation of the Tree Committee following the closure of the form. All respondents to the interest form who provided contact information were invited to that session.

Fill out this form to let the City of Lynn know your thoughts on a Tree Committee!

Formulario de Interés del Comité de Árboles de Lynn

What is a Tree Committee? A Tree Committee is a local citizen-led group that works with public officials to improve the health of the urban forest (trees in the city) through advocacy, education, management, plantings, and/or maintenance activities. Not every municipality has one, and in those that do, they can be set up differently.

Learn more here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/tree-boards-and-committees-fact-sheets/download(External link)

Examples of Tree Committees:

• Boston Urban Forestry Advisory Committee
• Brookline Tree Planting Committee
• Lynnfield Tree Committee
• Swampscott Tree Committee

Have a question or concern? Contact Erica Holm, Urban Forestry Fellow, at eholm@lynnma.gov or 781-586-6729.

Mayor Jared C. Nicholson turned City Hall Lynnside Out again this year!

🗓️ Saturday, Sept 7th (11am-3pm)📍Frederick Douglass Park

There was a fantastic festival to connect with City departments on upcoming initiatives and projects that matter most to you. 

The Planning Department tabled at the event and the Urban Forestry Fellow talked with folks about where they'd like to see urban forestry improvements.

Lynn's Urban Forestry Fellow, Erica Holm, and Tree Foreman, Efres Perez, were excited to head down to the Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association Field Day in Plympton, MA on August 22.

We attended educational sessions on invasive species, work zone setup, tree selection and placement, and electrification of tree tools.

The Urban Ecology Collaborative  learned from Brian Crooks in his talk exploring his "Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Process," a qualification that he describes as the best professional development he has achieved in his career yet, on Wednesday, August 21, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Zoom. 

Watch the recording here!

Abstract: Brian's talk covered the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, sharing insights and applications from his role as a Community Forester in Western Pennsylvania.

Presenter Bio: Brian Crooks is a Community Forester, ISA-certified arborist, and TreeVitalize Pittsburgh GIS Coordinator. He provides technical and logistical support for tree plantings across Western Pennsylvania and holds a B.S. in Forest Science from Penn State. After nine years at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and six years as Director of the Oakmont PA Shade Tree Commission, Brian recently earned his ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Brian is also an arborist with Overstory.

Please join us at 1pm ET on Wednesday Aug 14. Meeting information can be found here: https://research.fs.usda.gov/products/multimedia/webinars/heat-using-tree-canopy-cool-communities

Liberty Tree Day honors the first public shade tree, an American elm planted in Boston in 1646 and removed by British soldiers in 1775.

Lynn celebrated by planting a new American elm tree, hearing Mayor Nicholson's Liberty Tree Day proclamation, and talking trees. Special thanks to City of Lynn staff, the DCR Greening the Gateway Cities Program, Bartlett Tree Experts, Salem State University, & Wagon Wheel nursery.

Councilor-At-Large Nicole McClain's Remarks:

The Liberty Tree is a powerful symbol of freedom and resistance, deeply rooted in the history of the American Revolution. The tree became a gathering place for colonists who opposed British rule, and it was under this tree that the Sons of Liberty organized protests and plotted the course for independence. The Liberty Tree was more than just a meeting spot; it was a symbol of unity, courage, and the unyielding spirit of those who sought to break free from tyranny.

Similar trees and gathering places sprung up across the colonies fostering a sense of shared purpose among the people.

The Liberty Tree reminds us that freedom is not just a gift but a responsibility, requiring vigilance and courage to protect and preserve.

In our modern world, the idea of the Liberty Tree challenges us to reflect on what we stand for and what we are willing to fight for. It calls us to nurture the roots of liberty in our own lives, ensuring that the values of justice, equality, and freedom remain strong for future generations. 

As we remember the Liberty Tree, let's also remember that trees are vital to the health and well being of our cities and our community members. They do more than just beautify our surroundings; They are not just amenities but necessities that make our urban environments healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient. By valuing and investing in trees, we invest in the future of our city, the quality of life for all who live here, and we contribute to democracy by providing a beautiful space to plot for equity! 

We presented and answered questions about Lynn Urban Forestry at the Lynn Senior Center (37 Friend Street) on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 10:30 am - 11:30 am.