SWAMPSCOTT — Members of the town’s Tree Committee are raising concerns about several dead trees at the Swampscott Commuter Rail station, saying the area could benefit from both cleanup and new plantings that would provide shade and improve the appearance of the busy transit stop.

During their monthly meeting Thursday, the volunteer advisory committee — which works with town officials to expand and maintain Swampscott’s tree canopy — pointed to a stretch of the inbound side of the station parking lot where multiple trees have died in recent years. The location, members said, is a place where commuters frequently wait for trains but currently offers little shade or greenery.

“You know, you have a green space,” Vice Chair Tara Gallagher said. “And now there’s just a bunch of dead trees there.”

The discussion came as the committee began planning its spring planting season, during which members organize and help coordinate the planting of new trees across town based on resident requests and environmental priorities. Areas designated as environmental justice communities, including parts of Boynton Street, are often given priority.

The commuter rail station also lies within one of Swampscott’s few environmental justice areas, said committee member Suzanne Hale. However, the land is owned by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which limits what the town’s committee can do directly.

Committee members said the town has been trying to open communication with the MBTA about whether the dead trees could be removed and potentially replaced with new plantings.

Committee member Jennifer Honig said she recently contacted the agency to share the group’s concerns. The MBTA responded that it planned to remove the dead trees, though that work has not yet taken place. According to Honig, the agency also indicated that it typically does not handle tree planting at its commuter rail stations.

Replacing the dead trees with healthy ones would not only improve the appearance of the station, committee members said, but could also make the area more comfortable for riders waiting outdoors.

Trees near transportation infrastructure must be carefully considered, however. Honig noted that the MBTA often limits the size and type of vegetation planted near rail lines because falling branches, leaves or root systems can interfere with train operations.

“I understand that they have their rules in terms of how large trees can be planted with the train tracks being there,” said committee member Ana Nenshati. “You could put something narrower — some trees that won’t grow over. We’re just trying to make it a little nicer.”

Members said the condition of the trees also raises broader questions about upkeep at the station. Areas with dead or deteriorating vegetation, they said, can make public spaces appear neglected.

“The overall care of that station is not great,” Honig said. “And having a whole area that’s full of dead trees just doesn’t help people believe that they should respect it.”

They pointed to nearby communities as examples of how transit areas can incorporate landscaping improvements. The MBTA station in Salem, for example, underwent a major renovation several years ago that included new trees and landscaping aimed at improving the commuter experience.

Swampscott’s Tree Committee has been working in recent years to expand tree planting throughout town. Members said they typically coordinate the planting of dozens of trees each season, prioritizing locations where people gather — such as playgrounds, bus stops and public transportation hubs.

The effort is partly driven by environmental data. Studies conducted by students at Salem State University found that Swampscott has experienced significant losses in tree canopy over a relatively short period of time, according to committee members.

Tree canopies — the layers of leaves and branches that shade streets and neighborhoods — play an important role in reducing heat, improving air quality and absorbing stormwater. Because of that, the committee has focused on areas where additional shade could most benefit the public. Transit locations like the MBTA station, where people often wait outdoors for extended periods, are considered high-priority spots.

Honig said she also reached out to State Rep. Jenny Armini for guidance about the MBTA-owned property. In an interview with The Item, Armini confirmed that she had spoken with MBTA officials and said the dead trees at the Swampscott site are high on the list for removal by Northern Tree Service, the contractor used by the agency.

Armini also praised the work of Swampscott’s Tree Committee, noting that members have volunteered to plant replacement trees at the site if the MBTA allows it. According to Armini, however, the agency has raised indemnification concerns about allowing outside groups to perform plantings on its property.

She said she is currently awaiting legal guidance on whether that issue can be resolved.

In the meantime, the Tree Committee plans to move ahead with other planting efforts throughout town as the spring season approaches.