Watertown’s Tree Warden will be holding a Shade Tree Removal Hearing f0r the proposed removal of eight trees on Keith Street.
The trees are proposed to be removed due to home construction. The hearing will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, July, 22 at 10 a.m.
The species and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH):
- Two (2) Norway Maples (5” DBH)
- Three (3) Norway Maples (4”DBH)
- One (1) Norway Maple (3”DBH)
- One (1) American Elm (5”DBH)
- One (1) American Elm (3”DBH)
The Zoom link is: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/81211901286
Questions or concerns regarding this posting should be directed to the Tree Warden’s office at 617-972-6420 or email: mmicieli@watertown-ma.gov
Why are they being removed? Are they diseased?
I think they are being removed for the construction project at that property.
Norway maples are regarded as being invasive in MA and several other states (propagate easily, out-compete native trees, create a hostile soil environment for other flora). American elms are another matter. Save the elm if possible. The thought of losing the shade and climate change properties of the trees is a hard one, but in this case it might be for the best.
I just passed by to see for myself. Not one of the Norway maples will be missed in my opinion: they are an invasive tree-weed. I’m not sure I saw both elms, but one looked like it might thrive once freed from the maples crowding it out. That said, Keith Street is one of those “heat islands” bare of shade. Except for private yards, there’s no place for trees to grow. These eight trees are all there is. Taking them down to would leave nothing but pavement. (You can see on Google Street View for yourself.)
Unless the trees are exactly where the house is, they should stay. That street is almost a desert right now — and with hot weather continuing to get longer and more severe, removing trees is shortsighted at best.
Rena and Charlie: A Public Shade Tree Hearing is an opportunity for the public to hear and give feedback regarding a request for removal of public shade trees. It is not an announcement of tree removal. Very big difference.
Public Shade Trees are a public investment and a public good. If a private entity requests removal of a public shade tree that the Tree Warden deems healthy and that members of the public ask to be preserved, it’s very rare that removal will be authorized.
This protection for public shade trees in Massachusetts is of very long standing, dating back to the late 1800’s, and is defined in MGL Chapter 87, the Public Shade Tree Act.
“Tree wardens shall not cut down or remove or grant a permit for the cutting down or removal of a public shade tree if, at or before a public hearing […] objection in writing is made by one or more persons, unless such cutting or removal or permit to cut or remove is approved by the selectmen or by the mayor.”
Our forebears understood the value of protecting the shade trees that protect us. With our greatly increased understanding of just how important urban shade trees are to life and well-being, especially in the face of climate change, so should we.