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Today there is little doubt that the number one reason people move to Medfield is due to the excellent school system that has been established. But close behind, the historic and leafy look to the town, with its open space and tree lined streets, is another major reason.
The number of trees in Medfield today are no accident. They are the result of a far-sighted and long-rang plan by two dynamic town tree wardens, George L.L. Allen and his grandson, Ellis Allen, who managed Medfield trees and planted almost 3,000 of them along its streets between 1910 and 1984.
In 1910, George L.L. Allen replaced Medfield’s first tree warden, George W. Kingsbury. Allen would go on to serve as tree warden and Moth Works Superintendent for the next 40 years before his retirement and replacement by his grandson, Ellis Allen, in 1951. George L.L. Allen would die the following year in 1952. Because of the actions of George L.L. and Ellis Allen in saving and planting an incredible number of trees - some of which are now more than 100 years old - Medfield is still reaping rewards of lasting scenic beauty and benefit.
In 1914, George L.L. Allen started a yearly tree planting program, a program that would continue uninterrupted for 70 years until 1984 (although greatly curtained in 1982 and 1983 by the passage of Prop 2 ½). While since 1984 numerous trees have been planted, so, too, has Medfield seen many years of zero funding in the town budget for tree plantings. The continuous tree planting program begun by the Allens has really never recovered.
Trees planted in town improve the appearance of the town, give us shade (especially needed now in light of the climate change period that we are rapidly going through), increase our property values, and give Medfield that special character that is Medfield - what makes Medfield, Medfield.
Candidate Ellis Allen running for Tree Warden in the 1951 Town Election.
In 1975, Ellis began planting trees within the central business district, replacing many that were removed due to the widening of Routes 109 and 27, and because of the Dutch elm disease. Ellis’ intent was to again have shade trees in the center of town, like what existed throughout so much of Medfield’s history.
In 1976, thanks to many people - especially Ellis Allen, Walter Frank, Public Works Superintendent Bill McCarthy, the DPW and a committee formed by the Medfield Garden Club - the asphalt parking area in front of Town Hall was transformed into a green space of trees, shrubs and flowers in honor of America’s bicentennial and Medfield’s 325th anniversary.
In 1982, as a result of Prop 2 ½, Medfield’s tree planting program was curtailed with only 28 trees planted. In 1983, although the Warrant Committee told Ellis that he should minimize tree plantings due to Prop 2 ½, he was still able to plant a few trees to maintain the continuous practice planting that started in 1914. Ellis reminded the Warrant Committee that it was the early planting of shade trees along public ways that made New England the attractive place it is today.
In 1985, Ellis Allen announced, after 34 years, that he was not seeking reappointment as tree warden and head of the tree and insect control department. Said Ellis: “Throughout the years, it has been a personal accomplishment to care, maintain and replace the trees along our public ways. The Tree Planting program particularly has been very satisfying. George LL Allen, my grandfather, as tree warden, started this planting program back in 1914, and it has gone on uninterrupted since. Over 1,500 trees have been planted since I took over from my grandfather in 1951 (averaging the planting of over 44 trees per year over the past 34 years). The country look of the tree lined streets of Medfield is one of the attractions for people to choose Medfield as a town in which they would like to live."
This past month, the Medfield Garden Club announced they are looking at ways to put the planting of trees back on Medfield’s front burner. Their aim is to make sure future generations of Medfield residents get to experience and live in the town environment and tree culture that has been such a special part of the town's history.
