Photo: Brooke McCarthy/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZNewsRadio) - An urban forestry program by the East Boston community aims to get more trees planted in their neighborhood to bring the tree canopy in Eastie closer to the average tree canopy in other Boston neighborhoods.
The new effort is being lead by Tree Eastie founder, Bill Masterson, who says East Boston suffers from the lowest tree canopy in the city sitting at just 7%. The city average for Boston is 27%.
This year, with the help of new grant money, alliances and benefactors, the organization is launching a massive effort to plant 100 trees during this season, specifically in the empty tree pit lots. They're looking for volunteers not only to help plant those trees but to enroll in their 'adopt a tree' program.
Masterson said they're focusing on Eagle Hill, as it's one of the worst urban heat islands in Eastie.
Tree Eastie also plans to plant more fruit trees at the Rockies in Jeffries Point across from Piers Park. The organization has partnered with Eastie Farm to be able to harvest from the trees planted, including apple trees, peach trees, pear trees, cherry trees and mulberry and put fruit back into the community.
The organization said the Temple Ohabei Shalom Cemetery on Wordsmith Street, the oldest Jewish Cemetery in Eastern Massachusetts is celebrating their 180th anniversary this year and has asked Tree Eastie to plant 18 trees in the area of the cemetery.
In the end Masterson, all the efforts of Tree Eastie and community volunteers will result in a healthier Eastie.
WBZ's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports
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