NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - The City of North Adams and the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition are planting hundreds of trees throughout the city.

Since organizing in 2019, the North Adams Tree Initiative has planted more than 460 trees.

The program is funded by a grant from the Franklin Land Trust, and it will be run by the new North Adams Tree Commission starting in September.

For now, they rely on volunteers to plant and do maintenance. On Tuesday, the group was out removing stakes and guidelines from trees planted in 2019, so they can grow on their own.

Once fully grown, the trees will beautify the city and provide several other benefits as well.

“They will be responsible for helping the urban environment,” said project coordinator Sue White. “Helping with moisture control, helping with pest control, helping with everyone breathing better. Trees are wonderful.”

The next volunteer maintenance project will be Tuesday, July 20, and anyone interested in helping out should contact the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.