Celebrating Trees

Hooray for Arbor Day!

On April 15, 2026, Memorial students and FOMT honored Arbor Day with the planting of a vibrant Sugar Maple tree. The entire fifth-grade class, along with kindergarteners, accompanied by their teachers, participated in the celebration.

Emily Lyons, Director of Friends of Manchester Trees (FOMT), emphasized the importance of selecting an optimal location for the tree and ensuring nutrient-rich soil to support its growth. Selectman John Round delivered the official Arbor Day Proclamation, highlighting Manchester's longstanding commitment to urban forestry as a TREE CITY USA community for 34 consecutive years.

A skilled team from AH Tree Service was on-site to carefully excavate the planting area, position the tree with precision, and enrich the soil for a strong foundation. Their expertise ensured that the new Sugar Maple would thrive for generations to come.

Thank You For Celebrating Arbor Day with FOMT

Each fifth grader was gifted a Silver Maple seedling (Acer Saccharinum) to plant at home. Silver Maples are native to New England, which means that they support pollinators, birds and other wildlife. It's tough to go wrong with a stately Maple. From their breathtaking fall color to their cooling summer shade, Maples bring a timeless beauty to any landscape. When given the right space, soil, and care from the very beginning, your Maple can thrive for decades, becoming a cherished part of your yard and a seasonal highlight year after year.

How to grow and care for and plant your Silver Maple seedling:

Please find planting guidelines below. Please store the seedling in the refrigerator until you can plant it. If you cannot take care of your seedling and would like someone else to have it, please pass it along to a friend or email us so we can collect it and find a place for it to grow.

Silver Maple Care - Overview
Here are the main care requirements for growing a silver maple tree. The silver maple is a shade tree known for its fast growth, attractive foliage, and the production of samaras, otherwise known as "helicopters" that easily distribute silver maple seeds. Silver maple grows best in cooler regions with four seasons that have a range of moderate temperatures and produce a good amount of moisture during wet summers.

Grow silver maple tree in full sun for best results, although it is tolerant of partial shade.
Plant in moist, well-draining soil will not become too dry.
Regularly water a young silver maple even in wet soil; it will tolerate some drought once established.
Do not fertilize a silver maple, it will thrive on its own in moist soil. Fertilizing the tree makes it grow faster but weaker.
Prune a young silver maple for shape and then only after any limbs have been damaged. The damaged limbs should be pruned back to the collar.

Planting A Maple Tree In 6 Easy Steps

1. Prep the roots: Soak the roots for 1-2 hours before planting because it primes the root system & rehydrates the tree after being in a container.

2. Prepare the hole: Dig an area twice the width of your new tree’s root system, keeping the depth shallow so the root flare sits slightly above ground level.

3. Water and nutrients: Fill the hole with water, let it soak, then sprinkle in the Root Booster.

4. Position the tree: Remove the tree from its container or bag, and set it into the hole. Adjust the soil so the root depth is level with the surrounding soil.

5. Backfill: Use native topsoil and tamp down to remove air pockets.

6. Water and mulch: Water thoroughly, let it drain, then water again. Apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch over the soil surface.

Extra planting tips:

Stake young Maple trees if needed to protect them from wind.
Use trunk protection in winter to guard against deer and rodents.
Apply deer repellent during the growing season to train deer to avoid your tree.

After Planting Care for a Silver Maple Tree

Watering Guidelines: Use the Finger Test Method to decide when to water during the first year. If the soil is moist a few inches down, skip watering and check the next day. If dry, water deeply. In summer heat, you may need to water twice a day.

Seasonal Watering: Even after establishing, water during droughts and before winter to keep roots hydrated before dormancy.

Pruning Tips: Prune Maples after they leaf out to avoid dripping sap. Shape with strategic cuts for a balanced, open canopy and one main leader. Ensure good air circulation and sunlight penetration.

Arbor Day 2025

Arbor Day was celebrated on April 25, 2025 at Memorial School with the planting of a new Red Maple tree. All the fifth graders attended along their with teachers, while Selectman John Round read the official Arbor Day Proclamation. Emily Lyons, FOMT Director, then explained to the students how to properly plant a tree so that it has adequate soil and oxygen for healthy growth. The Fifth grade students had an opportunity to add healthy soil to the new planting. The kindergarten classes arrived in time to celebrate and cheer for their new tree in honor of Arbor Day.

Arbor Day Traditions

National Arbor Day, an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care, was celebrated at Manchester Memorial Elementary School on April 26, 2024. The first Arbor Day in 1872 was celebrated with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. Arbor Day is now observed throughout the world, including here in Manchester!

Every spring , Friends of Manchester Trees has requested our Select Board to proclaim Arbor Day in Manchester. We also sponsor special events, which includes planting a tree with the fifth graders at Memorial School.

Arbor Day celebrations draw attention to the benefits of trees. Trees reduce soil erosion caused by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate land and water temperatures, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen, provide wildlife habitat, increase property values, and add beauty to the community.