Tree Stories | Protect Newton Trees

Meg, Washington St, Newtonville:

I live directly across the street from the Mass Pike. There has always been a wall of foliage along the pike. In summer of 2018, DOT came into our neighborhoods and literally cut away ALL the trees and greenery. In a matter of hours, we were left with a barren view of a highway. I cannot underscore enough how profound the negative impact on our residence and neighborhood. The noise from traffic has become so amplified that you can’t hold a conversation outside the house without raising your voice to near shouting. You could immediately feel the increase in heat as it radiated off the asphalt from the Pike. Our house felt like it was baking in an oven and my window air conditioner set on High was no longer sufficient for cooling my entire condo unit. Lastly, the air quality – which I didn’t think could possibly get worse, did. Soot will accumulate on surfaces in a matter of hours, not days. I had to buy a second air purifier because having just one could no longer clean the air in my 586-square-foot condo, which is important as I suffer from asthma.

- Photo from Google Street View

Rebecca, Newton Corner:

There are two properties on Newtonville Avenue that were sold. [One] is being torn down as I am writing this email - and there is a very large, old American Beech tree on that property. It is easily 200 years old. The property next to that where the other house was torn down had what looked like a "sister" Beech - same size and probably same age - but that tree was taken down a few weeks ago.

Will this Beech be lost too? Do either of you know?

I emailed Allison Leary about 10 days ago regarding the lot next to my home, which had an average size house on it that was taken down and almost the entire property was cleared of beautiful mature trees that shaded the entire area - my concern in that email was that the remaining trees on my side of the property probably have root damage - I was told this by the arborist that takes care of some of the trees on my property.

When these developers come in and clear cut everything, it affects the trees and foliage that are left behind.

This is completely wrong and unfair to all residents.

Laura, Newton Centre:

The house next door to us changed hands last year and the new owner told us of her plans to renovate and cut down all of the trees in her yard, including a large Northern Catalpa that provided shade and beauty to our yard, as well as a bunch of city trees that were on a public easement behind her house. We asked her to reconsider but she persisted, so we called the Tree Warden. The city trees were saved and she was required to apply for a permit to cut down the other trees, but this was granted and she cut down several trees, including the Catalpa.

Since the tree removal, there is noticeably more sun on that side of our house-- and consequently, less shade and more heat. The construction pit where our favorite tree once was has now flooded the neighbor's house twice in heavy rains. We did everything we could to save the trees, from kind negotiation to speaking with the tree warden - and yet we still ultimately lost so many trees and are still feeling that loss. We urge stronger protections for the trees in Newton to prevent further loss of our vital tree canopy.

Joe & Cindy, Waban:

In our specific situation, no notice was provided by the City or the developer that a single home lot (with a historic Victorian Tudor) abutting our property was to be subdivided to construct a new home in between the existing Tudor and our property line. In the process, extensive removal of healthy mature trees and vegetation occurred. Imagine finding this out for the 1st time the day the landscaping crew arrived to begin cutting the trees down as we did.

Moreover a hidden aspect that no one seems to discuss - is the impact and cost to the abutters and what they have to incur in the aftermath of these new developments/tear downs in terms of the need for re-landscaping and tree restoration, construction debris and ensuing trash cleanup, let alone the aesthetics and often loss of privacy. As an abutter, one has to spend their own dollars (in the tens of thousands) to remedy and rectify what the developers frequently are not even willing to discuss or negotiate on as there is no recourse/courtesy/obligation to do so under the current process. If we truly want to be seen as a Green City, it is hoped that both the Mayor and the City Council will stand behind the protection of our existing tree canopy regardless of tree size and the rights of the residents who live here.

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Meg, Washington St, Newtonville:

Trees before & after - Fernwood Rd, West Newton

Trees removed - 1092 Chestnut St - during & after removals

Rebecca, Newton Corner:

Tree removed - Church St beech, Newton corner

56 Upland hillside before and after

172 Harvard Cir Newtonville front yard red oak before & after

Trees removed - Mignon Rd West Newton stumps

Laura, Newton Centre:

D Roadway before and after

Elgin St before and after

Joe & Cindy, Waban:

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