UPDATED: Removal of Shade Trees on Mt. Auburn, Keith Street Approved by City Manager

(CORRECTION: The story has been updated to include two areas where trees will be removed. The previous story only referenced Keith Street).

A total of 17 shade trees off in East Watertown will be removed as part of the construction projects after City Manager George Proakis gave his approval.

The trees to be removed include nine along Mt. Auburn Street as part of the reconstruction of the street and eight on Keith Street located on a property where a home is planned to be built.

The trees on Mt. Auburn Street include five Honeylocust, a Red Maple, a King Crimson Norway Maple, a Kwanzan Cherry, and a Callery Pear. On Keith, six Norway Maples, an Ailanthus and an American Elm will be removed.

Proakis’ decision was made using an assessment provided by Department of Public Works Director Thomas Brady and Tree Warden/Forestry Supervisor Mike Micieli. The survival of the trees on Mt. Auburn Street “is not feasible” due to the project, he said.

“The existing trees pose direct conflicts with planned infrastructure upgrades, including proposed crosswalks, curb ramps, modified curblines, a revised traffic configuration, and a new travel lane,” the memo said.

Proakis provided a memo to Brady and Micieli regarding his decision on the trees on Keith, noting that the trees were not planned as street trees.

“All the trees located within the public right of way directly conflict with the planned construction of the home and its associated driveway,” the memo reads. “These trees have self-seeded in the absence of a designed sidewalk or curb along this portion of Keith Street.”

In the memo Proakis noted the assessment provided by the DPW officials.

“It is your professional assessment that the trees in question are unlikely to survive the impact of nearby construction activities,” the memo reads.

New trees and landscaping is planned for both affected areas. On Mt. Auburn Street, “the City will undertake a comprehensive replanting initiative to enhance green space along the corridor and restore the urban tree canopy.”

On Keith Street, the DPW recommends replacement plantings to provide “an equal cumulative diameter.”

A public hearing was held about the removal of the Mt. Auburn Street trees in May. Many opposed removing the trees. There was also confusion during the meeting, where initially the Tree Warden said that the decision was not up to the City because the Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction was a state-funded project. Later, the City’s attorney ruled that the decision does lie with the City because Mt. Auburn Street is not classified as a state highway.

A meeting about the Keith Street trees was held in July. During the meeting six residents “strongly” opposed the removal of the trees, and the Tree Warden also received two letters requesting that they be preserved.