RESOURCES, RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR BEACON HILL RESIDENTS
Trees
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Photo: (c) Vin Catania |
The greenery of Beacon Hill greatly enhances the livability of the neighborhood. The BHCA encourages residents to help care for our trees and plantings and offers the following advice, outlined by the Beacon Hill Garden Club and the city’s arborist:
- Water new and old trees preferably in the morning. Unless there is ample rain, begin watering in April and continue throughout the summer, tapering off when the leaves begin to fall. If you have a hose, water at very low pressure for 1.5 hours and loosen compacted soil at the surface to allow water to penetrate the roots. Trees require 10 gallons of water per week.
- Before fertilizing your tree, conduct a soil test to see what the soil may be lacking. Most trees don’t need fertilizer at all.
- Mulch the tree pit, using hemlock or pine bark mulch, to a depth of no more than 2 inches. Keep mulch away from the tree trunk to keep it from retaining moisture and rotting. Bark mulch is the only material that should be added to tree pits.
- Protect trees from dogs, bicycles, and cars by installing a tree fence or guard. Advice on installing tree guards is available through the BHCA office, 617-227-1922.
- To report a tree that needs pruning or replacing, please call both the Parks Department, 617-635-7275, and the BHCA office, 617-227-1922.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway St., Suite 600
617-626-1250
For matters relating to the Esplanade
617-635-4505
Department of Parks and Recreation
1010 Massachusetts Ave., 3rd floor
617-635-4505
For matters relating to the Boston Common and Public Garden
