Future Decided For 3 Greenwich Trees: Acting Tree Warden

GREENWICH, CT — Three trees located on a parcel on Upper Cross Road in Greenwich have been cleared for removal in part to make room for a stone wall, announced Acting Greenwich Tree Warden Steve Gospodinoff Monday.

A public hearing about the removal of the trees was held on June 14, but no objections were lodged during the meeting. One person had objected to the removal prior to the hearing but that individual was not present at the hearing, according to Gospodinoff.

The contractor and Landscape Architect said they did not care if the trees remained, but trenching around the stone wall near the trees would have damaged them. The wall project calls for the wall to be moved close to 15 feet on private property.

The largest of the three trees, a Norway Maple, measures 14 inches in diameter at breast height, while the other two trees, both Red Maples, measure 6 inches to 12 inches in diameter at breast height.

Below is the text of Gospodinoff's decision:

A Public Hearing was held on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 12:00p.m. for three (3) trees posted for
removal at 0 Upper Cross Road. As required by Chapter 451, section23-59 of the Connecticut General
Statutes, a public hearing was called because an appeal objecting to the removal of these trees was
received within ten days of their posting. The three (3) trees are located in front of the stone wall on the
north side of Lower Cross Road, abutting house number 21.

The trees are one (1) Norway Maple with a D.B.H. (Diameter at Breast Height) of approximately 14"
and two (2) multi stem Red Maple with a D.B.H. ranging from approximately 6" -12".

The person objecting to the removal pf the trees was not present at the hearing. The contractor
and Landscape Architect were present at the hearing and cited that they "didn't care" if the tree
remained. A new planting plan was submitted with an extensive list of new trees to be planted at the
site. It was also noted that the existing stone wall was to be relocated 10-15 feet back onto private
property. Moving the wall will require trenching around the root systems of the three (3) subject Town
of Greenwich trees. Doing so will compromise the health and safety of those trees.

As Deputy Tree Warden and Acting Tree Warden for the Town of Greenwich, my decision is to
ALLOW THE REMOVAL of those three (3) posted trees. The trees are to be removed by the property
owner at their expense. A permit must be issued by the Tree Warden or Deputy Tree Warden.

Image via Shutterstock

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