On Thursday April 12th, we will plan on removing 5 hazardous trees from City Hall Park. These five trees were recommended for removal for safety reasons by former City arborist Warren Spinner prior to the final redesign plan for the park. Current City arborist V.J. Comai agrees with this assessment, as the trees now pose a threat to public safety due to their significant decline, structural defects, and large dead wood in their canopies. Strong winds or other spring weather conditions could bring down part or all of these trees, creating a hazard for pedestrians and park users. All five of these trees were identified on the final redesign plan approved by the DRB as “Remove ASAP, not part of project, poor health/liability.”

Tree #1: Large Horse Chestnut: Northeast side of park closest to BCA. Half of this tree is dead with bark peeling off large leaders.

Tree #2: Smaller Horse Chestnut: Northeast end of park west of path leading to College St. A large portion of this tree broke out last fall. Remaining large leader extends out over the path and is an imminent threat for failure.

Tree #3: Norway maple: Southwest corner of City Hall closest to main St. Crown of tree is in severe decline with evidence of sapwood decay fungus in upper crown. Proximity to Main St. and sidewalk makes it a high priority for removal.

Tree # 4: Sugar maple: Southwest corner of park near the corner of St. Paul and Main St. Half of crown is dead with large 3-4 inch diameter dead wood.

Tree #5 : Sugar Maple # 2; Southwest corner of park just south of tree #4. Severe crown decline with split in lower crotch as shown in photo.

A sixth tree, a sugar maple located at the west side of the path leading from the fountain to the northeast corner of the park and College St., has very large dead wood throughout ½ of its crown and will be limbed to eliminate the hazard.