The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) today announces hundreds of volunteers from the Massachusetts Arborists Association (MAA) will donate their time and expertise on April 30 to care for the historic tree collection at The Governor Oliver Ames Estate in Easton.

Each April, the MAA celebrates a state-wide volunteer day with its Arbor Day of Service, giving tree care professionals a chance to make a direct impact in their local communities while drawing attention to the importance of proper tree care and tree planting. This year, the MAA has chosen the trees at the 36-acre Ames Estate, which are beloved historic, scenic, and ecological assets. These skilled professionals will prune, fertilize, and improve health and vigor of viable trees. Additionally, many storm damaged trees; trees which are past their normal lifespan; or those with structural deficiencies that pose impending threats to visitor safety, will be removed.

“This program of care and renewal will help to maintain this remarkable landscape and to rejuvenate the collection,” said Joann Vieira, The Trustees’ Director of Horticulture. “This is an exciting opportunity to elevate the stewardship and visitor experience of this important resource to the Easton community, and we’re very grateful to the members of the MAA.”

The focus of this effort, which provides a value of approximately $250,000 in services at no charge, is to improve the care of the impressive tree collection at Ames Estate while also addressing safety-related issues. In addition to the specifics of hazardous and invasive tree removals, resource protection measures for each area have been provided and a plant list is being developed (while keeping succession plantings in mind) for replanting, some of which will occur after the April 30 work is complete.

“We are looking forward to making a difference at the historic Ames Estate in April,” said Neal Reilly, MCA, owner of Reilly Tree and Landscape Company in Plainville, MA and co-chair of the Arbor Day of Service Committee. “The property offers an excellent opportunity for MAA members to demonstrate tree preservation including specialized pruning, tree planting, and plant health care.”

Hazardous tree removal and planting plans have been evaluated thoroughly by professional staff, and certified arborists and have been reviewed and approved by the Easton Conservation Commission. The property will be closed to the public that day and a police detail will be posted at Elm Street.

The Ames family and the property has a storied history. Arriving in Easton in the early 19th century, the Ames family earned national renown through a shovel manufacturing company that supplied tools for the Civil War and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. The property on Oliver Street was home to Oliver Ames, who served as Massachusetts’ 35th governor, from 1887 to 1890. The Trustees’ connections with the family go back to the organization’s inception: it was founded in the Boston offices of Frederick Lothrop Ames, the builder of the Langwater Estate and the cousin of Governor Ames. Now, in the heart of the North Easton National Historic District, the Trustees is ensuring the cultural legacies of the Ames family live on at the locally renowned estate.

More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for 130 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 120 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. thetrustees.org. 

More about MAA
The Massachusetts Arborists Association is a professional trade organization that serves the commercial arboriculture industry.  Current membership stands at 800 of the state’s leading arborists. The MAA advances the goals of its members through education, certification, networking, advocacy, and research support.  Consumers can learn more about the importance of proper tree care and find a local Massachusetts Certified Arborist (MCA) at MassArbor.org.