Nurserymen from Central Nurseries plant a new tree in East Forest Park.

On Wednesday, July 25th, the first of over 600 new mature trees were planted by Regreen Springfield and the City of Springfield, in the yards of residents living  in Springfield’s tornado impacted neighborhoods.  40 trees were planted on day one of this effort, and all trees are expected to be installed by August 20th.  This is the first opportunity for trees to be planted on private parcels following the storm, and it will go a long way to assist in the regreening of the impacted neighborhoods.  The trees are all being placed

A Hudson Street resident and her new tree.

in locations that will maximize shading on homes, in order to reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the homes in the summer.  It is estimated that in 5 years, these trees will reduce summer cooling costs by up to 30% annually.

Funding for this initiative is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, with additional support provided by the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Rebuild Western Massachusetts.