Title: Legacy Effects of an Invasive Species on Street Trees in Worcester, MA

Abstract

In 2008, a Longhorned Beetle (LB) infestation was discovered in Worcester, Massachusetts, resulting in the removal of over 30,000 public and private mature trees and loss of tree benefits (shade, cooling, wind breaks, stormwater, etc.). The non-profit Federal and municipal government agencies planted 35000 public and private trees in the following years. Using street tree census data from 2005 and 2022, this study aims to examine the changes in street tree composition and maturity in Worcester from 2005 to 2022, which includes LB impacts. This research asks four questions: what was the impact of LB infestation on Worcester’s street trees?; what are the changes in ecosystem services between 2005 and 2022 of street trees?; how has the biodiversity of Worcester’s street trees changed as a result of replanting?; and, what are the environmental justice (EJ) implications of tree planting in Worcester over the past 17 years? Results show an increase of over 6000 street trees over the study period, due to immediate replanting after the LB infestation as well as an increased public and private focus on urban forests. Overall, Worcester has seen a loss of ecosystem services, especially in the neighborhoods associated with the LB infestation. However, street tree populations are much more diverse in species and size composition leading to the projection of a more resilient and valuable urban forest. While planting has been primarily concentrated in neighborhoods most impacted by LB, there has been increased tree planting in EJ neighborhoods but predominantly on commercial property.