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Resident urges city to hire arborist or create tree committee; council refers request to city manager
Summary
A certified arborist asked the council to improve street-tree practices, recommending a tree committee or arborist; councilors and the manager said they will consider a committee and talk with utilities about pruning standards.
Brian Molinari, a Massachusetts-certified arborist, addressed the council March 25 urging the city to improve its urban tree canopy practices. Molinari showed examples he said illustrated overly aggressive pruning and unnecessary removals, and suggested Lowell either hire a professional arborist or establish a volunteer tree committee to guide policy.
Molnari pointed to examples on Westwood Street and other neighborhoods where he said pruning near utility wires and sidewalk repairs had damaged canopy and long-term tree health. He urged the city to adopt alternative street-repair techniques that preserve trees, such as composite sidewalk material or tarmac patches, and to coordinate with utilities on pruning practices.
Councilors and staff acknowledged the examples and said some pruning is performed by utility companies; the manager said staff are awaiting a report from a prior study by Miss Moses and would explore forming a tree committee and consulting with National Grid about pruning protocols. Councilors asked the manager to report back; the council referred the matter to the city manager for a report and potential follow-up actions.
The council did not adopt an immediate policy change at the meeting but indicated willingness to pursue options that would protect the urban canopy while addressing sidewalk and safety issues.
