JOIN US TO PLANT 500 TREES ON SATURDAY, APRIL 26!
Reading, MA- Reading proudly celebrates its 40th year as a Tree City USA with a special community planting event. This milestone celebration also honors the legacy of the Reading Town Forest, which is celebrating its 95th year in 2025.
Organized by the Reading Public Library, Town Forest Committee, Department of Public Works, and Scout Troop 702, this event pays tribute to Reading’s rich forestry tradition.
On April 26, 1930, Reading held its first Community Planting Day when scouts, town officials, and citizens planted 15,000 trees in just one day, creating a special “Council Ring” at the forest’s center that still exists today as a symbol of unity.
A Legacy of Urban Forestry: 40 Years as a Tree City USA
In 1985, under the leadership of Tree Warden Irving “Bud” Dickey, Reading became a Tree City USA-a national designation recognizing communities committed to sound urban forestry practices. Now celebrating 40 consecutive years with this distinction, Reading stands as the second oldest Tree City community in Massachusetts.
This achievement reflects four decades of meeting the program’s core standards: maintaining a forestry department, enacting a public tree ordinance, dedicating a minimum of $2 per capita to forestry efforts, and observing Arbor Day with meaningful community engagement.
Current Tree Warden Michael Hannaford and his talented Forestry Division continue this tradition through initiatives such as planting new trees throughout Reading’s streets, parks, cemeteries, and public buildings, reinforcing the town’s commitment to sustainable urban forestry.
How to Participate in “Planting for the Future”
Sign up is requested to help manage limited parking. For details and to sign up, visit the Reading Public Library event calendar.
As we celebrate this 40-year milestone as a Tree City USA and approach the 95th anniversary of our Town Forest, this event demonstrates what our community can accomplish when we work together.
Thank you to the Tree Warden Mike Hannaford and the Reading Department Public Works for the content of this article.
Rooted in Reading is made possible by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Additional support is provided by the Friends of the Reading Public Library and the Reading Public Library Foundation.
