June is my new favorite month. Everything that grows explodes; even a densely built city like Newburyport feels like a jungle: very lush, very green and very hopeful.
The Clipper City Rail Trail is no exception. From the moment the path opened, it proved to be a rich source of inspiration and thoughtful action. Plants of course point the way, but also sculptures, information boards, play areas, benches and hammocks, elegantly designed gardens and memorials.
Most recently, the Newburyport Horticultural Society and Friends of Newburyport Trees have joined forces to expand the already extensive plantings on the track section near the Memorial Tree sculptures just off Washington Street.
With a generous $500 grant from the Hort, Jean Berger and other FoNT volunteers were able to plant 17 shrubs and 16 perennials in early June. Previous plantings at this site have included hostas, Solomon’s seals, heuchera, hollyhocks and purple loosestrife.
This time the plantings are all native, if not New England then at least North America: tall and low bush blueberries, Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry), little Henry, a sweetspire with white flowers that “shoot like fireworks”. and have an iridescent leaf color in the fall. More! Astilbe, Goatsbeard, Chocolate Joe Pye Weed, Bluestar, Culver’s Root and Amsonia Blue Star. Expect an array of blue, purple, and white blooms throughout the season.
An unplanned addition to the exuberance was the roe deer and burgundy mushrooms, which kept popping up in the new wood chips brought in for mulching. Wood chips often bring secret gifts, and June is ready to take them.
Further down the path, towards Low Street, five new river birches are planted which are quite impressive and large for new trees, forming a grove: a memorial to the Uvalde shooting last spring. This location was conceived and realized by Huddle (Women in Action of Greater Newburyport) with the planting help of Mike Hennessey and the Department of Public Services.
Between Low Street and Parker and more landscaped locations with more fruits and berries, flowers, winding paths, benches and even a plant structure called “Nest” created by interlacing the willow branches into a circular wall with an interior space.
From Parker and along the nearly completed new paved section along the road, the remaining trailhead will take you past Oak Hill Cemetery, March’s Hill and the waterfront.
You’ll pass the Huddle’s other location—the vegetable garden—which grows produce destined for a local food program. Two new raised beds have been added here.
Opposite is a large pollinator garden – food for butterflies and bees. More sculptures, more forests full of mysteries, then the shore of Edible Avenue – berries, fruits, nuts, roots, greens for the birds, the bugs, the bees and for you.
Barring a drought this summer, there will be plenty of cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and even enough for a pie. Several cakes.
This is a great railway trail. Enjoy it.
Jane Niebling is a member of the Friends of Newburyport Trees. Email her at Jane.niebling@comcast.net.
www.newburyportnews.com
https://www.newburyportnews.com/opinion/columns/tree-talk-enjoy-the-clipper-city-rail-trail/article_de529674-1104-11ee-aade-135d9ba196c4.html
