On a recent exploration of the reinvented downtown atmosphere, I was disheartened to notice all of the newly installed trees were improperly planted.

As a graduate of the UNH Environmental Horticulture program and a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, I have a solid understanding of the physiology of plant and landscape material. If one were to inspect the area where a tree’s trunk meets its roots, a significant flare occurs. This flare should be level with, but preferably one to two inches above, the final grade. The trees planted in downtown Nashua over the summer along the newly renovated sections on Main Street were planted 2-3 inches below the level they should have been, which means that the trees may eventually fail.

This failure will not occur instantaneously or over the course of a year, but the trees will become much more susceptible to rot, disease, and pests as increased moisture on the bark weakens the trees’ natural defenses. With so much money spent on the reconstruction efforts along the historic downtown route, shouldn’t we at least be assured that the money was spent doing work appropriately and using common sense (at least for anyone employed in the landscape industry with knowledge of proper planting techniques.)

I hope the mayor’s office seeks out the contracted landscaping company to rectify this situation before further damage may occur. The ginkgos planted will provide a unique and charming character to Nashua’s downtown, but only if planted correctly in the first place.

Andrew Gagne

Nashua

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