Community Corner

Tree Falls in Waveny Park

The fated tree had not been flagged as at risk.

A silver maple fell smashing a bench near Waveny House in the wind Friday afternoon. The tree, estimated to be 80 to 100 years old, had been extensively pruned and cabled earlier this year in an effort to preserve it, but the roots were in poor condition, according to an e-mail from Tree Warden John Howe to town officials.

The tree's fall seems to validate the comments of some homeowners on West Road. They have argued that while 10 trees on their street that have withstood bad weather are now slated to be removed, others that may pose a greater threat to the public, including some in town parks, have not been flagged.

The Waveny Park tree is not the first large timber to fall without being identified as at risk.

"The time is at hand for us to recognize and deal with an aging tree population," Liz Livingston, chair of the town's Tree Committee, wrote in an e-mail to another town official in response to the news.

The issue will be discussed at the Tree Committee's next meeting, Tuesday at 9 a.m. at Town Hall.


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