Letter from Kristine Hodlin, Chair, Library Board of Trustees
To Whom it May Concern,
At our meeting on Monday, August 11, 2014 the Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to have two trees in failing condition removed from the Library grounds.
The trees in question are a copper beech that sits front and center of the parking lot and a sugar maple that is in the front yard to the right of the front door as you face it.
After extensive investigation, research, and deliberation, the Trustees have determined that in the interest of public safety these trees need to come down. This decision was made in consultation with other Town department heads who have voiced similar concerns. The trees have continued to fail over the last 5 years despite best efforts of the trustees to preserve them.
Preservation efforts included substantial trimming and pruning of both trees. In addition, a dedicated irrigation system was built to help feed and revive the copper beech. The beech tree also received feedings in an effort to save the tree.
The Trustees consulted with two arborists about the trees. The first, George Ackerson, a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association, provided a report in 2008 recommending the removal of both trees. He outlined evidence of a continual decline in both trees. The second arborist, Doug Hunt, was consulted in 2014. Mr. Hunt’s report also recommended the removal of the trees, and highlighted that their continual decline poses a threat to public safety. Additionally, Tree Warden, Branch Lane, has supported the recommendations of Mr. Hunt’s report and the actions of the Library.
Over the past several months the Trustees have conducted an outreach effort to inform the citizens of Milton of the health of these trees, the associated safety risk, and to receive community feedback. The Trustees have held two public forums on the topic, attended a meeting of the Conservation Commission and sent press releases to local outlets in order to inform residents of the issues involved.
The Library Trustees recognize the sensitivity involved in removing any natural resource. They have viewed these trees as treasured assets and done everything practical to preserve them. However, after mounting safety concerns and careful deliberation the Library has decided that removal is the only course of action.
The Trustees are saddened by the removal of these trees. The Library plans to remediate by planting three new trees on Library grounds, using input from the community for determining the type of trees and their placement.
More information will be available online and at the Library, including a chronology of events concerning the trees and a list of frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions concerning the removal of the trees, please contact the Library Trustees at 617-698-5757.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristine Hodlin
Chair, Milton Library Board of Trustees