Well-maintained tree wells support healthier trees. Pulling weeds and removing trash are the two most important steps residents and business owners can take to maintain the tree wells in front of their properties. Planting inside of tree wells can also impact trees, but not always for the better. Too many plants (and especially weeds) in the tree well compete with the tree for limited soil volume, water, and nutrients. If you decide to plant in a tree well, remember that tree health comes first. Planting carefully and infrequently can reduce soil compaction and support pollinators. Perennials with small roots and bulbs planted once every few years can beautify the tree well while also keeping tree roots intact. If you choose to plant in the tree well, choose plants that don’t require a lot of water or have deep roots. Please do not plant grasses because they have thick, matted roots. Please avoid vining plants which can grow up the tree trunk. Additionally, avoid planting within a foot of the tree trunk. If you remember to prioritize tree health while choosing what to plant, you can have both a beautiful tree well and a healthy, long-living tree.

If you’re looking for ideas on what to plant, here are some bulbs that would work great:

• Crocus
• Tulips
• Muscar
• Daffodils
• Dahlia
• Freesia

Whether you plan to plant or not, watering is crucial for our young street trees to survive the city environment—they need lots of water from Forest Friends like you! Newly planted trees are watered by Public Works staff, Water-By-Bike interns, and the tree planting contractor, but you can help out by filling the gator bags on street trees once a week, through mid-November. Forest Friends can pick up gator bags for street trees from Public Works at 147 Hampshire St.

Flowering cherry trees are some of the most frequently planted flowering trees, largely because they look beautiful and survive well in the city environment. The autumn cherry tree is special, however, because it can produce flowers multiple times per year. Its double pink flowers appear every spring, but you might also spot a sparse fall bloom if the weather is warm enough.

The autumn cherry grows fairly fast at a rate of about two feet per year until reaching maturity of about 25 to 40 feet. The tree does not grow to be very tall, but it does have a wide-spreading canopy. If autumn cherries near you are not flowering, you can identify them by their one-to-four-inch-long dark green leaves. Later in the fall, their leaves will turn yellow and bronze before dropping.

Be on the lookout for this tree’s autumnal flowers! 

We need your help to maintain a healthy, vibrant urban forest! Any Cambridge resident willing to regularly water the tree and provide some general care for the tree is welcome to become a Cambridge Urban Forest Friend.

How to Start

• Visit our interactive map.
•  Enter your address.
• Choose a tree by clicking on it. Then, fill out the form.