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Green Worcester committee defers formal large-tree policy to urban forestry commission
Summary
Committee members discussed models from other Massachusetts cities and agreed to let the city's urban forestry/tree commission lead ordinance development; a motion to take no immediate action was recorded.
WORCESTER, Mass. (July 28, 2025) — Members of the Green Worcester Advisory Committee on Monday reviewed examples of large-tree protection ordinances from other Massachusetts municipalities and agreed to defer formal ordinance work to the city's urban forestry (tree) commission.
Why this matters: Committee members said preserving mature trees complements tree-planting efforts and may require specific ordinance language and technical forestry expertise that the tree commission is better positioned to produce.
What committee heard: Ted Connor, a committee member who has assembled local ordinance examples, asked the group to keep the issue public and suggested the committee "go on record that this committee strongly supports policies that protect and preserve large existing trees as a general statement." Several members urged coordination with the urban forestry commission. Mary Leavich, another committee member, flagged a policy detail she found concerning in some jurisdictions' ordinances: exceptions that allow property owners to remove trees to install solar energy. Leavich described that framing as a "false equivalency" and said it prompted her to follow the tree commission's work more closely.
Action taken: The committee determined it would not ask the city for immediate action on a preservation ordinance because the urban forestry commission is leading that effort; members recorded an agreement to let the tree commission take the lead and to provide research support if requested. The committee also agreed to share the ordinance materials and research gathered by members with the tree commission.
Public participation: Residents and community volunteers described related local stewardship work. Mary (resident/advocate) said Councilor Ojeda and Councilor Russell have been involved in efforts to refresh and rehabilitate Cookson Park and that volunteer work parties and coordination with the parks department are planned.
What was not decided: Committee members chose not to adopt a formal resolution at this meeting or to formally endorse specific ordinance text; Ted Connor and others said they may return with a proposed statement if the group wants a public position later.
Ending: Committee members asked staff to transmit the materials they have gathered to Joyce (chair of the tree commission) and to remain ready to support the commission's drafting and outreach work.
