Pollinator Pockets

Learn about the Wildflower Seeding of Empty Tree Pits Pilot Project.

Page Sections

In spring 2026, the Streets Cabinet Green Infrastructure team will be piloting wildflower seeding of empty street tree pits in locations deemed unsuitable for future tree planting. This pilot will target pits in two locations:

Lawrence Street in the South End, and
Fisher Ave in Mission Hill.

Following maintenance through the summer and fall, we will evaluate the success based on vegetative resilience and public acceptance. We welcome feedback to help us evaluate success.

Background

Some tree pits have been deemed unsuitable for successful tree growth. In the past, these areas that can no longer contain trees have been repaved or left empty. Exploring alternative options for these empty pits, the Green Infrastructure team will be piloting a program to fill these spaces with native wildflowers and pollinator plants.

This spring, we will be seeding unusable empty tree pits along Lawrence Street in South End and Fisher Avevue in Mission Hill. We will continue to maintain these sites throughout the year, evaluating the success of this project at the end of the year.

The pilot will evaluate the following:

Success of establishing perennials:

Are the plants well established, and do they remain lush and full throughout the first and second growing seasons? Is vegetative cover sufficient to prevent soil erosion? What level of maintenance is required?

Materials:

Does trampling challenge successful plant growth? Are there alternate robust planting strategies that should be evaluated?

Public acceptance:

Are planted pits and strips valued by residents, or seen as a nuisance? Have residents provided specific feedback?

Resident feedback will be crucial to understanding whether this approach should be considered for other empty tree pits. We encourage residents of these streets to stay connected with us as this project develops.