Greening the Gateway Cities Springfield

Young trees are particularly vulnerable to cold weather because their roots, bark, and branches are not yet fully hardened. Freezing temperatures can damage or kill tender buds, cause bark splitting, and stress the tree, making it more susceptible to disease. Frost and ice accumulation can break weak branches, while exposed roots may suffer from freeze damage. Protecting young trees with mulch, tree wraps, or temporary barriers helps insulate them and increases their chances of surviving harsh winter conditions.

As winter weather settles in around the holidays, it’s a good time to plan ahead and stay safe. Here are a few tips to consider before you head out.

Travel smart: Watch for icy roads, slow down, and give extra space between vehicles.
Bundle up: Cold temperatures and wind can lead to frostbite—wear warm layers, hats, and gloves.
Be wind-aware: Secure outdoor decorations and be cautious of falling branches.
Be prepared: Short daylight hours mean reduced visibility—carry a flashlight and check weather updates before heading out.

A little preparation goes a long way toward a safe and joyful holiday!

Bright Nights at Forest Park is celebrating 30 magical years! This beloved holiday tradition in Springfield features over 750,000 twinkling lights along a three-mile drive, whimsical scenes like Seuss Land and Toy Land, and fun stops like Santa’s Magical Forest that bring joy to families from across the region. More than 7 million visitors have enjoyed this festive event over the decades, and it continues to be a special way to celebrate the season together. Bright Nights continues until January 4th, so don't wait to go.

Big shout-out to the Bear Hole Trail Race! The annual event in West Springfield brought out dozens of runners and raised funds to support environmental education and trail stewardship in our community — helping local students learn about nature and supporting ongoing conservation efforts on the Bear Hole trails.

Great news for river restoration and climate resilience in Massachusetts! The state has just awarded $350,000 to support dam removal feasibility studies in seven communities — including key sites like the Bear Hole Reservoir in West Springfield and the Manhan River in Easthampton. These studies are a big step toward reconnecting rivers, improving habitat for fish and wildlife, and strengthening our watersheds against climate impacts like flooding. Click the link to learn more: https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/massachusetts-awarded-350k-for-dam-removal-studies-in-these-seven-towns/

Drought alert! The heat of summer is almost over, but if you had a tree planted in the past few years your tree likely still needs to be watered. You should be watering your new trees until they go dormant in the fall and the leaves drop for the year.

We recommend giving your tree 15 gallons of water a week. The best time to water first thing in the morning or towards the end of the day to minimize the amount of water that will evaporate.

Watering your new tree is the single best thing you can do to ensure its establishment and survival. To make it simple and easy, each tree we plant includes a 15-gallon water bag - just stick the hose in and fill it up!

Make sure to water your tree at least once a week and keep an eye out for signs of drought stress!

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~478 TREES PLANTED THIS SPRING~

From April through June we planted 478 Trees all across Springfield!! Thank you to everyone who participated in this planting season!

As we look ahead to our Fall planting season there is still plenty of time to request trees for your property. Call 3-1-1 (413-736-3111) and say you would like free trees from the Greening the Gateway Cities program.

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Last week on Arbor Day, Springfield GGCP planted new trees at multiple schools around the city including Beal Elementary, Dorman Elementary, and Glickman Elementary. These trees will provide shade, beauty, and a multitude of environmental benefits to the schools and surrounding community.

So far this season, with the great work of , we have already planted about 200 trees!! We expect to plant close to 500 trees this Spring and have already begun siting trees for the Fall! Call 3-1-1 today to request your tree(s) and we will contact you to schedule a site visit.

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We are gearing up for a busy Spring planting season! 300+ trees are already planned to go into the ground across the City this Spring! There is still time to join the fun and get your free tree(s)!! Call 3-1-1 today to request a site visit to get the ball rolling!

If you did not already know, our program is able to plant across every neighborhood in the city - that means every resident and business is eligible for FREE TREES! Once the Spring planting season is filled, we will begin siting trees for this Fall. It is always a great time of year to request your FREE TREE(S)!

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