Tree Programs

Groundwork Concord planted 186 trees and shrubs in 2007, and over 500 since 2003. In 2004, Groundwork initiated a 3-year street tree planting program with the help of a multi-year grant from the NH Charitable Foundation and generous donations from the community. The program was intended to improve upon the City of Concord’s previous street tree replacement program by tripling the number of trees planted throughout the city. Groundwork was probably one of the first institutions in the country to develop a community tree program using strictly bare root trees. Working with Goldstar Tree and Turf Farm in Canterbury, N.H., Groundwork planted an average of 100 bare root trees per year for three years between 2005 and 2007.

Groundwork Concord works closely with the City of Concord Planning and General Services Departments to identify priority sites for tree planting, and to plant trees, as well. AmeriCorp, Green Team, and neighborhood volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours toward tree planting events along city streets and in parks and other public spaces.

2007 Tree Programs

Neighborhood Trees
40 more bare-root trees were planted at the Concord Housing Authority’s Haller Apartments this spring and fall with the help of neighborhood volunteers, Groundwork Concord volunteers, the Youth Diversion Program, and CHA staff. Residents have been watering their trees regularly since 2006; they are healthy and beautiful. We note, however, that some of the children who have helped to plant since 2006 are growing faster than the trees.

Street Trees
Spring 2007 was the last “official” city-wide bare root tree distribution under a grant from the NH Charitable Foundation and the City of Concord North End Improvements Program. 48 street trees were delivered and planted with the help of Unitil volunteers and their trucks, and NH Tree Steward volunteers. Groundwork will, with the help of grants and volunteers, continue bare-root tree planting with a focus on specific neighborhoods and public spaces.

Donated Trees
Twenty two 4-6” diameter trees, valued at $6,895.00, were donated to our tree nursery on Hall Street this fall. The delivery included sugar maples, elms, cherries, crabapples, and unique species and varieties as tulip, zelkova, and paperbark maple. Trees will be planted around the city in 2008 as part of a coordinated plan with City Planning, Parks, and General Services departments, volunteers, and contractors. 70 trees were planted from the 2006 donated tree stock along the new sidewalk connecting Commercial and Old N. Main Sts, S. Main St., Washington St., Exit 14, Beaver Meadow Golf Course & Stickney Ave.