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Date: 2/22/2022
SPRINGFIELD ¬ Alex Sherman and his staff are charged with a job that at the same time is very visible but also is not at the top of the mind for most people.
Sherman is the Springfield Forester and Tree Warden and as he explained on an episode of “Government Matters” on Focus Springfield, he and his crew of eight people are responsible for the care and maintenance of all the trees on city property.
To put that in perspective, Sherman said there are 32,000 trees on the city’s tree belts. He is also responsible for trees located at city parks, schools, and libraries. His staff maintain digital inventory of the trees – trees in Forest Park are not included in the inventory – which he explained is used and updated daily. The repair and removal of established trees as well as the planting of new trees is all recorded in the inventory.
He said his goal to maintain “a healthy safe urban forest for the city of Springfield.”
The Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association (MTWFA) recently recognized Sherman with its 21st Annual Seth H. Swift Tree Warden of the Year award. According to the group, “The Tree Warden of the Year Award recognizes a tree warden who exhibits leadership, dedication, and a commitment to the profession.”
Mayor Domenic Sarno stated, “Congratulations to our City Forester Alex Sherman on this well-deserved award and recognition. Working with Executive Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management Patrick Sullivan, our Parks Department Forestry Division does a wonderful job caring for all of our public shade trees and maintaining our beautiful parks for our urban city. From our tree planting program, operating our own local tree nursery and celebrating our annual Arbor Day celebration, Alex Sherman has been a strong supporter and advocate for our Springfield trees and parks for the benefit of our residents and business community.
Congratulations again to Alex Sherman on receiving this honor.”
Sherman noted the tornado in 2011 destroyed about 10,000 of the city’s street trees. He added if the other trees in the city that were either destroyed or damaged the number would be an estimated 100,000 trees.
“It was a significant event,” he noted. In the years past he and his crew have been planting more resilient trees. “So, there is a silver lining there,” he added.
Sherman explained that no one tree is preferred when replanting trees in a city such as Springfield. “The key word in an urban forest is diversity,” he said.
Sherman said the right tree is matched with the location.
He said he welcomes calls from residents who have questions about their trees, and he offered some guidance about selecting a tree for someone to plant in his or her yard.
“As a forester I’m always thinking 50, 100 years into the future and that’s just the nature of forestry. Trees grow on a long-time frame. So, any time anyone is planting a tree, I advise them don’t think of the tree you’re purchasing at the garden center because they are all about the same size at the nursery harden center.
Look at the tag of the tree, look at the mature dimensions of the tree. Is it a 50 -foot-tall tree? An 80-foot-tall tree? A 20-foot-tall tree? How wide is the crown spread? Is it a 30-foot-wide crown or a more narrow crown? Then you can use those dimensions to decide what type of space you have and what you’re willing to commit for the tree to occupy,” he said.
He explained that putting a tree too close to a house might mean annual trimming.
Sherman noted that part of his job is public outreach and education so people understand the importance of trees in a city. He advised that property owners have their trees regularly inspected by an arborist to maintain their health.
He reminded that trees clean the air, provide shade and help with water management.
To watch the entire interview, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eicu1r3t70&list=PLolIYDZfz1YJdfXhvKQiI9igy3Ls5En3Z&index=1