By Liz Parsons
“I kept noticing more and more trees in my neighborhood that could use some help,” remarked Gail Ringel after participating in WENA’s first-ever street tree mulching party. Held at Taylor Street Park on a Saturday afternoon in May, the event invited residents to tend public trees by placing compost and mulch at their bases.
The mulching party was one element of WENA’s ReForest the City project that launched last year, funded by a Maine Medical Center Community Caring grant. In addition to taking away high-quality mulch (courtesy of Portland Parks Department), organic compost, instructions on proper mulching techniques, and a tree marker, participants were able to talk with volunteer tree and landscaping experts and enjoy mocktails and tree-themed treats.
Street Tree Mulching Party Builds on Past Work
Supporting Portland’s aging tree canopy is timely with development surging and official regulations for protecting trees passing in 2020. Fortunately, locally organized advocacy and relationship building are starting to take root.
For instance, last year’s street tree mulching was largely a West End activity, involving 17 volunteers mulching 20 trees. This year, in addition to coordinating with the City, a collaboration with Portland Parks Conservancy led to much more public exposure and support for the project. As a result, 40 volunteers from 3 neighborhoods mulched 57 public trees. A similar initiative is now underway on the East End.
The overarching hope for such events is that taking what seems like a small action will lead to greater awareness of our tree-neighbors. Just as it did with Gail Ringel.
Get a Free Tree or Shrub
Another ReForest the City activity is now underway in cooperation with Maine Audubon’s Bringing Nature Home program. Throughout the summer, West End residents may have a tree or shrub planted on their property at no expense. Readers interested in learning more about either of these endeavors may contact trees@wenamaine.org.
Liz Parsons is a ReForest the City volunteer.
