Friends of Longwood Mall and the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance will host a guided walk through Longwood Mall on Monday, June 8, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The rain date is Tuesday, June 9.
We will meet at the corner of Hawes and Chatham, then walk through the park to discuss its history, the current challenges facing the trees, and the strategic plan to preserve Longwood Mall for future generations.
Jack Schleifer, Brookline's Urban Forestry Manager and Tree Warden, will join us as a special guest. This will be a good opportunity to hear directly about the work ahead and to ask questions about the park's future.
A recent report by Nick Brazee, a Beech Leaf Disease expert at UMass Amherst, ended with a statement that concerned some of us: "At this time, new plantings of American and European beech are not recommended." Given our plan to diversify the species in the park, but also plant some new European Beeches, I wanted to speak with Nick about his report.
Nick confirmed that he generally does not recommend planting new European and American Beech in situations where the trees will not be closely monitored and treated, and when there are plenty of other options for plantings. But he also clarified that the decision to plant some new European Beech trees is reasonable in the context of Longwood Mall, given our plans for treatment and the desire to preserve the history and tradition.
Nick was also super helpful in explaining the latest research on BLD. He was very encouraging about the effectiveness of BLD treatments generally and was supportive of our strategic plan for Longwood Mall. He has a great deal of confidence in the research lab professionals at Bartlett Tree Experts, with whom Jack Schleifer has been consulting on our strategic plan for the park.
We will continue to do the foliar spray treatments this summer. We have done these treatments in each of the last three summers and they seem to have been very effective in controlling the progression of BLD. Nick explained that the latest research suggests that only two treatments per year (down from 3 to 4) are needed and that the effective concentration can be as low as 2-4 oz of Broadform per 100 gallons of water, which is considerably lower than the previously recommended concentrations.
Arbortect 20-S is the latest BLD treatment and research suggests it is the most effective treatment available. We hope to start a trial with the Arbortect 20-S injectable treatment on some of the healthier trees, but that may not happen until next year. Nick told me that the initial indications from Arbortect treatments on the UMass campus are that the trees are tolerating the injection wounds much better than originally expected.
Some of the trees in our park may not look very healthy when the trees bud this season. That is not necessarily related to BLD becoming worse in the park. Many of the trees are very old and suffer from other ailments such as Beech Bark disease and Canker disease. The tell-tale sign of BLD is the banding on the leaves (see photo below). If you see examples of significant banding like this, please let me know and I’ll share with Jack. We plan to do root-collar excavations on some of the trees and Jack is getting quotes on phosphorus treatments, which we hope will help some of the less healthy trees to recover.
We plan to plant new trees in the park this spring. It has been a long time since any new trees have been planted in the park. When new trees have been planted in the past, they were almost exclusively European Beeches, maintaining the monoculture that has existed for many years at Longwood Mall.
Modern arboriculture tells us that monocultures create significant ecological risks, the most critical being their vulnerability to pests and diseases. Our strategic plan is to diversify the park:
Plant Japanese Beech saplings. Japanese Beeches are believed to be immune to BLD, but still share some of the same Beech characteristics of the European Beeches. Jack has secured 10 small saplings for Brookline and we plan to plant some of them at Longwood Mall. Because of their small size, we may need to do some fencing around these young trees.
Plant young European Beech trees. Most of the European Beech trees in the park are quite old, some of them more than 150 years old. By planting new European Beeches, we are taking a calculated risk that we can control the progression of BLD and investing now in a new generation of European Beeches for age diversification. Jack has obtained two young European Beeches for spring planting.
Plant non-Beech species. We have identified some species of trees that we think would fit well in the park. Jack is especially interested in planting chestnut trees. There is a disease-resistant cultivar that is not yet available but expected to be soon. We hope to plant some of these in the park next year.
Brookline submitted an application in December of 2025 for a $91,000 Massachusetts Community Biodiversity Grant to support Longwood Mall's long-term tree health and biodiversity plan.
The proposal connected Longwood Mall to the state's biodiversity goals in four ways:
Protect: The project would protect a rare genetic resource in European Beech trees imported from Europe between 1830 and 1850. Charles Sprague Sargent, founder of the Arnold Arboretum, called them "the finest exotic trees which have been planted in greater Boston and probably the finest grove of European Beech in the United States." These trees are threatened by Beech Leaf Disease, which is caused by an invasive nematode and has been devastating beech tree populations across the Northeast.
Restore: Through evidence-based Beech Leaf Disease treatments and targeted arboricultural care, the project would restore tree health by addressing both the disease and the underlying conditions that make trees vulnerable to it. According to the Bartlett report, less than 70% of the trees are currently in good condition and the trend is negative due to the increasing age of the trees. With new plantings, BLD treatments, root-collar excavations, phosphite treatments, and other essential maintenance, we believe the park can be restored to good health for future generations.
Sustain: The project would sustain an ecosystem that has existed for nearly 200 years. The mature beech trees provide important ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, stormwater management, air quality improvement, urban heat island mitigation, and habitat for native species. Brookline's challenging 2026 budget will put real constraints on the Town's ability to protect the park, so alternative funding sources could help ensure that Longwood Mall is protected during a difficult fiscal period.
Connect: Longwood Mall exemplifies the "Nature in Neighborhoods" theme. It is a publicly accessible green space where Brookline residents, workers from the nearby Longwood Medical Area, and residents of nearby Environmental Justice neighborhoods can experience remarkable nature without leaving the urban core. It connects people to nature in their neighborhood and to the natural and cultural history of Brookline.
Unfortunately, Longwood Mall did not receive a Massachusetts Biodiversity Grant. The email Jack received said there were more than 200 applications, so our chances of being selected were a lot lower than we expected when we applied. This press release indicated that 12 projects were funded for a total of $1.1 million dollars.
We will continue to submit grant applications to help fund maintenance and treatment of Longwood Mall.
"Jack Schleifer has been named Brookline’s new Urban Forest Manager, according to a press release from Commissioner Erin Chute of the Department of Public Works. Schleifer will begin the role on July 14.
Schleifer holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of the Environment and has a background in both municipal and environmental nonprofit work. Most recently, he served as Field Operations Manager at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, where he led an urban forestry program and collaborated with local and state agencies on tree health and maintenance across the Emerald Necklace park system.
In Brookline, Schleifer will focus on stewarding the town’s tree canopy and improving climate resiliency through public engagement and partnerships with the community.
He is filling a role left by Tom Brady, who departed for the city of Watertown in 2023 after more than 20 years on the job in Brookline."
December 2024 - On December 11, we held an in-person community meeting concerning the future of Longwood Mall at the Church of Our Saviour. Turnout was strong, considering how bad the weather was that night (3-4 inches of rain and 50 mph wind gusts). Tom Brady (Conservation Administrator, Tree Warden, and Town Arborist) and Alexandra Vecchio (Acting Director of Parks and Open Space and Director of Sustainability) were in attendance.
The meeting was led by Tom, who walked through the history of Brookline's experience with Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). He discussed how he worked with Bartlett Tree Experts and Dr. Beth Brantley, a leading researcher in BLD treatment, to learn more about BLD and how they have all been learning together as our understanding of the disease has progressed.
We discussed Arbortect 20-S, a treatment that has only been approved for use on Beech trees in the last six months. Unlike Broadform, a foliar spray we have been using as a BLD treatment, Arbortect is an injectable treatment that needs to be administered directly into the roots of the trees once every 2-3 years. This treatment, which has been used successfully for many years to treat Dutch Elm disease, has now been shown to be very effective at treating BLD.
While this new treatment is very promising, Tom tempered expectations by explaining that older trees already stressed from other diseases (Beech Bark disease, Bleeding Canker, etc.) may not respond to any BLD treatment.
We also discussed planting new trees to replace the dead or dying trees that have been removed or may need to be removed in the future. We considered the option of planting species other than European Beeches, given the risk posed by BLD. It may be possible to pay for new plantings by applying for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds.
The evening was bittersweet given the recent news that Tom will be leaving Brookline. Tom spoke about his experience working in Brookline, why he was leaving, and his confidence that Brookline will be able to find an excellent replacement. Tom's departure complicates our plans to formulate a long-term strategic plan for Longwood Mall.
We agreed that we should continue BLD treatments (including Arbortect for trees that are good candidates for the treatment), but it would be best to meet with the new Tree Warden before deciding on any new tree plantings. Hopefully, that will happen early in 2025.
We understand that people would like to see new trees planted as soon as possible, and it will be a priority. But when we are talking about a tree grove that is around 180 years old, we should be patient and make decisions about the long-term direction of the park carefully and deliberately.
Thank you to Tom Brady and Alexandra Vecchio for attending the event and also to the Church of Our Saviour for allowing us to use one of their rooms for the evening.
December 2024 - Tom Brady, Brookline's Conservation Administrator, Tree Warden, and Town Arborist, is leaving Brookline after 23 years of service. He has taken a new job as the Director of Public Works in Watertown. Tom was named Massachusetts Conservation Administrator of the Year in 2021.
Tom has been an amazing partner with the Friends of Longwood Mall. In recent years, he has been on the front lines of the battle versus Beech Leaf Disease, working with Bartlett Tree Experts to provide critical treatments for the trees. While this is a huge loss for Brookline, we are happy for Tom, as his new position is an exciting new career opportunity and also a significantly easier commute for him. We are very grateful for Tom's service to the Brookline community and wish him all the best!
A search is underway for Tom's replacement. Tom will connect his successor with his contacts at Bartlett. The Friends of Longwood Mall will work with the new Tree Warden to ensure that the preservation of Longwood Mall stays on track during this challenging period.
Note: The link to the July webinar has been updated and the old link no longer works.
November 2024 - We will hold an in-person community meeting concerning the future of Longwood Mall at 7 p.m. on December 11, 2024, at the Church of Our Saviour (25 Monmouth St). The church has generously agreed to allow us to hold the meeting in the Lawrence room.
Tom Brady, Brookline's arborist, conservation administrator and tree warden, will be in attendance at the meeting. Tom will be there to provide a quick update on the health of the park's trees, discuss some of the long-term options available, and listen to feedback from the community.
One of the important issues that will be discussed will be the option of diversifying the park by replacing lost trees with species other than European Beech, given European Beech's vulnerability to Beech Leaf Disease.
If you did not attend the information session that we held in July, I would encourage you to watch the recording. That session was meant to update everyone on what the experts are seeing in the park and with Beech Leaf Disease generally, while this session is intended to discuss options and to hear from the community.
We are not planning to provide a Zoom option. If you cannot attend, please feel free to reach out to me. I will be happy to recap the meeting and collect your feedback.
In September 2024, Brookline.News reported on how Brookline is using new science to try to save its beech trees, including the historic beech trees at Longwood Mall.
[Update: The town administered 4 BLD treatments between August 1 and September 30.]
On August 1, Bartlett Tree Experts administered Beech Leaf Disease treatments to the trees of Longwood Mall. These were the first treatments given this year, and they were administered under the supervision of Tom Brady from the Parks and Open Space Division of Brookline DPW.
As the experts at the July 15 webinar discussed, the treatments given last year were largely successful at containing the spread and severity of the disease in Longwood Mall. At this point, the goal of the treatments is to control BLD, not to eradicate it.
The treatment given was Broadform, which is the same treatment we administered last year. Broadform is currently the only effective treatment available to us for Beech Leaf Disease. The continued use of Broadform will likely be discussed as we explore long-term strategies for preserving Longwood Mall. Please reach out to me if you have any information or opinions about the use of Broadform in the park.
On Monday, July 15, 2024, at 7 p.m., the Brookline Parks Department held a Community Information Webinar to address concerns about Beech Leaf Disease (BLD).
We will follow up later in the year with a community meeting to specifically discuss the strategic plan for Longwood Mall. Please make sure you are on our mailing list to be notified of that meeting when it is scheduled.
On Monday, July 15, 2024, at 7 p.m., the Brookline Parks Department will hold a Community Information Session to address concerns about Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). Please see the poster below for a list of the discussion topics and scheduled speakers.
We will follow up later in the year with a community meeting to specifically discuss the strategic plan for Longwood Mall. Please make sure you are on our mailing list to be notified of that meeting when it is scheduled.
On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance hosted an event on Longwood Mall to celebrate the park by discussing its history and the challenges it currently faces. After the talk, people strolled through the park and then gathered in front of one of the houses to have cookies and cupcakes. Nicholas Nixon (renowned documentary photographer) shared large-format prints of his photos of the trees. About 80 people attended the event, which is a powerful statement about how important this particular park is to the Brookline community.
The Brookline GreenSpace Alliance (BGSA) asked me to write an article about Longwood Mall for the 2023 Spring/Summer issue of Place, their biannual publication.
Please save the date for July 26 at 7 p.m., when we will meet on Longwood Mall for a BGSA event. We'll have more details about the event in late June or early July.
Preserving Longwood Mall: An Urban Oasis in Brookline
Here long before any of us were born and hopefully remaining long after we are all gone, Longwood Mall stands as one of Brookline's most treasured landmarks. Located less than half a mile from Coolidge Corner, this 2.5-acre linear park serves as an urban oasis that both beautifies the neighborhood and unifies our community.
In the 1840s, David Sears brought European Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) back from England and planted them on the land that would eventually become Longwood Mall. This picturesque grove is considered by many to be the oldest collection of European Beech trees in North America. In 1902, the family of David Sears generously deeded Longwood Mall and three other parcels of land to Brookline, ensuring their preservation as public parks.
Eighty years later in 1982, Longwood Mall was not in good condition. Cuts to the forestry budget had resulted in the trees being neglected for over two decades, leaving them in desperate need of pruning and cultivation. Led by Ellen Golde, a group of dedicated Brookline citizens raised $20,000 (equivalent to $62,000 in 2023!) to revitalize the trees and establish an annual maintenance program.
This initiative marked the birth of the Friends of Longwood Mall, who later received a Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award in 1984. Since then, Ellen has been working closely with the Brookline Parks Department to ensure that the trees survive and thrive.
Fast forward forty more years, and Longwood Mall is facing a new threat. A new tree disease, Beech Leaf Disease (BLD), has been decimating Beech trees from Ohio to Maine in recent years. Last year, BLD tragically took the life of a historic Beech tree on Freeman St. (by the former St. Aidan's church). Fortunately, none of Longwood Mall's trees have shown symptoms of BLD yet, but community intervention may be the key to preventing an outbreak.
Thankfully, scientists and arborists recently have made significant progress in understanding BLD and have developed a new treatment. Last year, Friends of Longwood Mall raised money from the neighborhood to administer this treatment to the trees. Additionally, we received an $8,500 grant to treat the trees from the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance, as part of the Park Initiative Program. Although it is too early to know how effective the treatments have been, there is reason for optimism.
Unfortunately, the Parks Department did need to remove two of the park's trees in February. These trees were not infected by BLD but were suffering from other maladies and had become a safety hazard for visitors and the other trees. These removals are not done lightly and only done after a thorough assessment by the Tree Warden in consultation with other experts. In the spring, Friends of Longwood Mall will raise money to plant new trees.
It is sad to see the old trees removed and each tree is a living thing that we will strive to protect, but sometimes it can be helpful to take a longer-term perspective. We can think of Longwood Mall as an interconnected whole, where all the trees will eventually die (European Beeches typically live for around 200 years), but new trees will be planted and cared for.
With this approach, we can hope to preserve Longwood Mall indefinitely, so that many future generations of Brookline residents can enjoy the park as we have.
On February 21 and 22, 2023, two of the trees were removed from the Longwood Mall. Tom Brady, Brookline's Arborist and Tree Warden, had this to say about the removals:
"These removal actions are never undertaken without great thought and consideration. In this case these two trees have been assessed by a total of six certified arborists both from within our department and representatives from three separate tree care firms. All of the arborists were consistent in the recommendation for removal and replacement at this time.
We are grateful for the decades long partnership with the neighborhood in our collective stewardship of the Mall. I would note we have begun the process of securing Beech trees to replace those being removed to ensure the new plantings can be completed this Spring season."
Friends of Longwood Mall will be raising money in the spring to help finance the new plantings. It is sad to see the old trees go, but we will plant new ones and the cycle continues on.
"Nature is a teacher of life, and the cycle of death and rebirth is one of its greatest lessons. It reminds us that change is inevitable and that we must learn to adapt and evolve to survive." - Steve Irwin
In fall 2022, the trees of Longwood Mall were treated for Beech Leaf Disease and Beech Canker disease. Treatments were funded through cooperative efforts of the neighborhood and the town. Additionally, the trees were pruned and the entire mall was aerated to help improve access to water and nutrients. Aeration also helps reduce soil compaction, which inhibits the growth of root systems.
Avoiding soil compaction is why ball playing is not allowed on the mall (in case you were ever wondering about that).
To learn more about Beech Leaf Disease, please go here.
Friends of Longwood Mall formally joined the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance (BGSA) as a park organization in the summer of 2022. We applied for a Park Initiative Program Grant and were awarded a grant for $8,500 for BLD treatments of the trees on Longwood Mall. These grants are available to Brookline park organizations thanks to funding obtained by our State Representative Tommy Vitolo.
The BGSA does great work to protect and enhance Brookline's green spaces. Please consider joining the organization!
Grant Award Ceremony at Hall's Pond, Fall 2022. From left to right: Rob Schoen, Bob Schram, Arlene Mattison, Tommy Vitolo, John Shreffler
In August 2022, Boston 25 News did a story about Beech Leaf Disease, featuring Longwood Mall, Brookline Parks Director Alexandra Vecchio, and Tree Warden Thomas Brady. Watch the full video at the following link.
In 2012, Boston Globe Magazine did a story on the 20 best streets in the Boston metro area. At the top of the list was Beech Road in Brookline. While Longwood Mall is not directly mentioned, it's clear that the trees were a major factor in their assessment of the street.
