Research on the Green Hill parcel of the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Brookline, MA was initiated in 2015 in response to a request for technical assistance on the care of the landscape. Initial research identified key resources, including a stone wall, spruce pole fence, and ornamental plantings. A summary history based on this research was used concurrently to enhance the updated National Register of Historic Places documentation for the park. Subsequently, based on conversations with park staff and the owners of the historic Green Hill mansion, this report was expanded to include treatment recommendations for the 5.31-acre landscape.
The treatment recommendations for the Green Hill parcel included a tree removal plan for those canopy trees that were in poor condition or considered invasive in the landscape, a tree and sub canopy tree planting plan to replace removed trees, and a shrub planting plan to fill in the under story. Site walks with park staff and owners of the Green Hill mansion were conducted to coordinate the planting removals and additions.
Using a Trimble, I recorded GPS data points for removals and plantings, and used those to create illustrated removal and planting plans. These were included in the Cultural Landscape Report for the park. Spruce pole fence samples constructed in accordance with historic precedent were brought to the site to be compared with existing panels for approval by the park.
