Trees, Trees, Trees
For the Friends of Manchester Trees (FOMT), spring means one thing: planting trees throughout town. For the past fifty three years, FOMT has been renewing, protecting, and caring for Manchester’s public trees, and 2026 promises another successful and diverse planting season.
What can residents expect to see planted early next week?
Three sturdy Northern Red Oaks in Masconomo Park; a Red Maple, two Tulip Trees, and a Tupelo at the High School; two Pin Oaks and a Serviceberry at the entrance to the Norwood Street parking area; a London Plane Tree and a Sweetgum in Coach Field Park; a flowering Pagoda Dogwood and a Redbud in Pleasant Grove; a Pin Oak, Tupelo, and Shagbark Hickory in the Rosedale Extension; a stately Tulip Tree along the border of Veterans Circle in Rosedale; two Swamp White Oaks and a Red Maple along the edge of Winthrop Field; a Sourwood on Union Street; and a Scarlet Oak on Tappan Street.
The Friends of Manchester Trees wishes to thank the many member donors whose generosity supports this mission, as well as the board members and volunteers who make this town wide planting possible.
Together, we are cultivating a greener, healthier future for Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Arbor Day Celebration - April 15, 2026
Memorial Elementary School will host this year’s Arbor Day event, where each fifth‑grade student will receive a Silver Maple seedling to plant at home. This hands‑on activity encourages young residents to participate directly in caring for our local environment.
Manchester‑by‑the‑Sea proudly marks 34 years as a Tree City USA community, reflecting our ongoing dedication to urban forestry. To qualify as a Tree City USA community, a town or city must meet four standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters.
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A Tree Board or Department (Friends of Manchester Trees)
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A Tree Care Ordinance (Our Town Tree Policy)
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A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita
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An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation
Look for our Tree City USA sign on Pine Street, just as you come off Route 128 and enter town — this sign serves as a welcoming reminder of Manchester’s dedication to trees and green spaces.
To provide support for the planting, preservation, and care of trees in the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea.
The Friends...
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Provide funding for the planting of new Town trees.
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Encourage and foster the planting, preservation, care, and maintenance of trees and shrubs in the parks and public lands in the Town of Manchester.
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Advocate respect for the aesthetic, ecological, and horticultural value of trees for the benefit of every resident.
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Provide input to the Town regarding decisions for removal of dead or diseased trees.
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Research, assess, and communicate timely information for the care and preservation of trees in cooperation with Town leadership and residents' interests.
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Collect and disseminate timely information to appropriate public officials and concerned citizens regarding their care and preservation.
Discover the many programs we undertake to support our mission.
Join your neighbors in the Manchester community to ensure the health of our trees and natural beauty of our town.
2025 Native Tree Selections
The photos below represent examples of the species as a mature tree.
April 16, 2024, Martha Gubbins received her Neighborhood Shade Tree. She chose a lovely Kousa Dogwood.
