Cherry Tree Lane, located along Roosevelt Avenue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is a living park that has beautified this region of the city. Blackstone Valley Tourism Council treed this special street in its local history with Central Falls’ tree warden Matt Largess. Their efforts turned this area, once designated as the city with the most concrete in the country, into a beautiful pedestrian-friendly street that brings health and vibrancy to the community.

Keep America Beautiful local affiliate Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful (KBVB) organized a community service day in which 17 corporate volunteers from Altria Group pruned, weeded and winterized these special trees.  Altria Group, located across the Rhode Island border in Marlboro, Massachusetts, and a national sponsor of Keep America Beautiful, assisted Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful.

The day was a huge success. More than 70 trees of the 130 cherry trees originally planted were able to be cared for with the volunteers’ support. The cherry trees are planted along Roosevelt Avenue in Chocolate Park, and continue into Central Falls and the streets and areas that border the historic Blackstone River.

Matt Largess of Largess Forestry, in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, came to educate the group on proper pruning and care techniques and the importance trees bring to a community and our environment. The volunteers climbed ladders, and used tree pruners and a variety of other tools to winterize these trees. Rancho cherry trees were specifically chosen as they grow to be a smaller size, flower in the spring, and are a perfect choice to be placed among the concrete sidewalk.  Since being planted, the trees have survived very well; this care will help to promote spectacular cherry blossoms this spring.    

KBVB is very thankful to Altria Group, which encourages its employees to volunteer to make their communities clean, green and beautiful, as well as Largess and his assistant.