Lincoln-Hancock Community School Tree Planting May 30, 2026
The Quincy Tree Alliance had close to 30 intrepid “rain or shine” volunteers planting three trees near the playground at Lincoln-Hancock Community School, across from Kincaide Park, in what could be best described as nor’easter weather on Saturday May 30th.
A diverse group made up of QTA members, volunteer arborists and foresters, Ward 3 and 4 city councilors Walter Hubley and Virginia Ryan, neighborhood residents, tree enthusiasts, and local high school students, put a Princeton American Elm and two Eastern Redbuds in the ground.
The QTA would like to thank the Community Preservation Committee for their grant that facilitated the purchase and transportation of the trees, Black Earth Compost, the DNR, Mike Casinelli, and Janet Loftus, principal of the school. Without their help, this would not have been possible.
The occasion was a bit cold and wet for the humans, but a happy one for the trees. The elm tree should become a nice shade tree for the playground in coming years, while the redbuds will bring beautiful spring color, viewable from Water St. and Gordon Terrace.
The QTA asks park and playground visitors to please help take good care of our new trees, and if you would like to become a QTA member and/or volunteer for tree watering this summer, please email quincytreealliance@gmail.com. We also welcome you to visit our website (https://www.quincytreealliance.com) and follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/QuincyTreeAlliance) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/quincytreealliance).
Tree stories: Ode to the maple
A poem by Ann-Marie Amendolare
by Ann-Marie Amendolare, for the Quincy Tree Alliance. Published in The Quincy Sun
I look through my kitchen window
Where I see the Maple Tree ~~
And for some compelling reason
She means a lot to me.
A Crimson King Red Maple ~~
It’s a brooding shade of red.
Not a fragrance ~~ nor a flower ~~
No beauty ‘round her head.
We planted her when Jane was nine
The day the swings came down;
A little twig of tiny leaves
Attached to a stick of brown.
She grew like an umbrella,
Joe trimmed her top just so;
Her sparkling lights at Christmas time
Made our backyard glow.
But after all these many years
Of faithfully being there,
Our special tree got very sick
And needed special care.
We called the best tree doctor ~~
He sprayed her withered leaves,
He fertilized her dying roots,
He said, “I’m good with trees.”
We had to do this every year,
But she is standing tall.
She’s full, she’s red, she’s beautiful ~~
She’s the dearest tree of all.
I soon could see beyond the glass
My living memory;
And I could stand beneath her shade
And say, “I Love You, Tree!”
So many years have passed since then ~~
As years are wont to do.
I’ve moved away ~~ I’ve left that house ~~
I’ve lost that joyful view.
Now when I pause where she still stands,
I hope she knows it’s me.
I see her ~~ I remember her ~~
I sigh, “I Miss You, Tree!”
Is there a special tree in Quincy that means a lot to you? Submit your 600-word Tree Story to quincytreealliance@gmail.com.