HF Johnson Tree Farm

05/21/2026

This 46' tall River Birch, 𝐵𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑛𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑎, weighed in at 21,000lbs. It is one of a pair that the crew installed last week. The intricate web of sisal twine enveloping the root area, is known as drum lacing. When a rootball exceeds the capacity of the largest tree spades, they are often hand dug and hand drum laced.

05/20/2026

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬

HF Johnson Tree Farm will be closed on Saturday, 5/23 and Monday, 5/25 in honor of Memorial Day. More than the unofficial start to summer, Memorial Day is a time to remember and reflect upon the great sacrifice that so many made, in service to this great country. 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲!

05/18/2026

Just a reminder that Our Osterville Farm location is open during the road construction on Bumps River Rd. We can be accessed via Osterville/West Barnstable Road by driving beyond the road closed signs to arrive at our driveway.

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

The crew planted this 12" caliper Sugar Maple, 𝐴𝑐𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑎𝑐𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑢𝑚 'Green Mountain', this week in Cotuit. It is 35' tall, with a 35' spread and weighed 19,000lbs.

05/12/2026

Yesterday was a nice day to fly a Kite over our Hi River Farm! (Swallow-tailed Kite)

05/12/2026

Carl & Hayden transplanted this 8" caliper Kousa Dogwood, 𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑢𝑠 𝑘𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑎, from Osterville to Mashpee, on Saturday.

05/12/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲, 𝐶𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠, is one of our toughest native shade trees. Reaching 40–60 feet with a broad, arching canopy, this moderate to fast grower is famous for its unique "corky" bark and its ability to thrive in tough conditions like urban pollution, wind, and drought. Hackberry has alternate, ovate leaves with a serrate margin and uneven base. In the autumn, the dark green leaves transition to a soft yellow color. Beyond its durability, is its importance to wildlife, serving as a host plant for several Butterflies and providing nutrient-rich winter berries for songbirds like Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Bluebirds & Northern Flickers. Hackberry is an underutilized, strong selection here on the Cape, where it thrives in a wide variety of planting locations, particularly those that may be challenging.