Cummington Tree Alliance

The Cummington Tree Alliance is a group of local volunteers working to plant and care for trees, to support native plants,  wildlife and our woodlands, and to help our community prepare for a changing climate. We bring neighbors together to plant trees, care for public spaces, and learn about the woods, gardens, and waterways around us. We offer instruction on how to plant and care for trees and shrubs, and we provide help with planting and ongoing care.

We began with conversations about public trees, a roundtable with local Tree Wardens, and a walk along Main Street. Since then, our work has grown.

In 2024 and 2025, we helped residents plant 56 trees. In spring 2026, our Cross Pollination project, organized with local partners, distributed another 45 native trees, 102 shrubs and plants, and 50 pollinator planting kits.

• Started a Heritage Orchard at the Old Parsonage, where people can learn about growing and caring for fruit trees.
• Held planting demonstrations, film screenings, woods walks, and a workshop on alternatives to lawns.
• Worked with the local elementary school on planting and learning about nature.
• Organized watering for public plantings and volunteer workdays to care for the orchard.

We are also helping people learn about invasive knotweed and how to limit its spread. Our work goes beyond planting: we want trees and plants to thrive for years to come.

We work closely with the Cummington Cultural District, Wing & A Prayer Nursery, and Hilltown Vision Fund, the nonprofit organization that receives and manages funds for our work. We also work with the Historical Commission, town officials, and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team.

• The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Urban and Community Forestry program.
• The New England Grassroots Environment Fund.
• The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Biodiversity Conservation Grant Program.

The Department of Fish and Game grant supports Cross Pollination, our shared project to plant native trees and shrubs, create places for wildlife, and offer community learning opportunities.

These grants, along with volunteer time and help from our partners, make our work possible.