Salem Celebrates First Four “Century Trees”

Thanks to generous Salem residents who donated to The Salem Tree Fund, the first four Century Trees were planted by the City last fall in locations where the public may enjoy them. Two London planetrees were planted in the front lawn of the Salem Post Office, an American elm on Broad Street at the Pickering House and a katsura tree on Dalton Parkway. On February 23rd, Mayor Kimberley Driscoll placed the commemorative tags on these first Century trees in preparation for the coming 400th anniversary of Salem’s founding in 1626.

The Century Tree program will run over several years, to plant as many of these trees as possible to so Salem’s skyline of tall, majestic trees will flourish throughout the 21st century. The program is looking for additional planting locations on public or private land where these large trees will have room to grow and will be visible from the public right of way. The most successful Century Tree will benefit from a person or group who will commit to water and nurture it until it is established. Trees on private property will be planted by the City and monitored for two years under of the oversight of Salem Tree Warden Bob LeBlanc. After that, the property owner will maintain the tree.

The science and value of planting these trees are well documented – trees cool with their shade, absorb excess moisture from harsh rainfalls, and clean the air. They also soften noise and wind in densely settled communities. Recognition is growing that these beautiful trees give us a sense of permanence with a nod to the future. Century Trees will be landmarks of beauty in Salem neighborhoods for generation, and that is good for everyone.

“My thanks go out to the Tree Commission and its Chair, Darleen Melis, to Bob LeBlanc, and to all those residents who have already reached out about participating in the Century Tree program,” said Mayor Driscoll. “Salem is committed to our public trees as a critical part of our climate change mitigation strategy, our beautification efforts, and our historic legacy as a green city. That includes the Century Tree initiative and its function both as an ecological investment and as a celebration of our quadricentennial.”

To learn more about the Century Tree program or how to donate to The Salem Tree Fund, visit the website for the Salem Tree Commission at www.salem.com/tree-commission.