This ash tree on Walnut Street in Fairhaven is scheduled to come done on 5/30/24 due to extensive decay for a variety of reasons, including the Emerald Ash Borer insect. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven Tree Warden Don Collasius informed the Select Board and the public that he would be removing four large ash trees on Walnut Street, between Center and Union Street. Mr. Collasius told the board at its meeting on 5/13/24, that the four trees were in an “advanced state of decline,” and pose a threat.
The trees are old, he said and just outgrew their space, like a “sunflower in a dixie cup.”
The sidewalks are also regularly salted, and there is a problem with the “Emerald Ash Borer” insect, with all four trees having some evidence of being invaded by the small beetle.
He said he wanted to be transparent about removing the trees because some people have been upset with him, saying he is not transparent.
“This is an attempt to avoid that,” he said, adding that he is letting as many groups as possible know about the plan.
“I hate doing it, I really do,” he said.
The removal of the very large and old trees will change the look of that section of street, said Mr. Collasius.
He also said he had hoped to get some Community Preservation Act funds to repair the sidewalk at the same time, but the project did not make it.
“I know they are in bad shape,” said SB member Keith Silvia, adding they took a four-foot cone and shoved it right through a hole in one of the trees.
In his report to the SB, Mr. Collasius said the trees pose a “high risk to persons traveling in the public right of way and public and private property.”
Three of the trees are 75 feet high, and one is 90 feet high. The Millicent Library and residences are in the fall zone of the trees.
All the trees have had “significant effort to mitigate decline” with extensive pruning and removal of decay in the past few years. All the trees have decay and some are losing limbs regularly.
“Given the advanced state of decay of these trees with a cumulative weight of over 100 tons, and their proximity to multiple targets that cannot be removed these trees pose a high risk and unfortunately should be taken down immediately,” writes Mr. Collasius in his report.
Michael Botelho, who lives near the trees, said he has called several times after large limbs have dropped.
“They’re in terrible shape,” said Mr. Botelho, adding he was “supportive” of taking them down.
The trees are scheduled to be removed on 5/30.
•••
Click here to download the 05-23-24 issue: 05-23-24 BlessBikes
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
