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Newport Tree Board approves multiple tree removals, retroactive emergency cut and tables one case
Summary
At its Oct. 9 meeting, the Newport Tree Board approved removal of a series of dead or hazardous trees across the city, granted retroactive approval for an emergency removal, and tabled one item because board packets were not received by all members.
The Newport Tree Board on Oct. 9 approved the removal of a series of dead or hazardous street and park trees across the city and granted retroactive approval for an emergency removal while tabling one case so board members could review late-distributed packet materials.
The actions affect trees in public rights-of-way and on city-maintained strips at addresses including 403 Forest Street; 722 East Eighth Street (retroactive); 121 East Third Street; 1006 York Street; 1001 Central Avenue (three Callery pear trees); 846 Saratoga Street; 306 East Fourth Street; 321 East Third Street; and 845 Monroe Street. The board unanimously approved removal requests it found to be dead, dying, or structurally unsound; it tabled the request for 813 Park Avenue pending complete packet distribution.
Board members said public safety and tree condition motivated most votes. Cassandra, the city arborist, described multiple trees as “dead” or showing structural failures—examples included crabapples with split trunks and red maples with disrupted root systems after nearby utility work. Cassandra said of one red maple (813 Park Avenue) that she and a colleague used measurements of root plates and other observations to determine the tree’s stability but agreed to postpone formal action after some board members reported they had not received the latest packet material.
Jonathan Cohen of 120 East Third Street, who received a notice about the board’s review at 121 East Third Street, said he appreciated the notification and told the board that “if something is a nuisance or a danger, then it should probably be addressed.”
Votes were unanimous on the items acted on. The board granted retroactive approval for a removal performed earlier at 722 East Eighth Street after Cassandra said the tree had split down the middle and was leaning toward a porch; she said staff removed the tree because they judged it an imminent risk and therefore could not wait for a scheduled meeting.
On 1001 Central Avenue, the board approved removal of multiple Callery pear trees that staff judged to have extensive dieback and poor structure; Cassandra said the properties qualify for replacement planting and staff will encourage replanting but will not force adjacent homeowners to accept a new tree. For several other cases the record identifies the species (crabapple, red maple, dogwood, thornless honey locust, hawthorn, redbud) and the board accepted staff photographs and arborist testimony as the basis for approvals.
One agenda item, NTB25-29 at 813 Park Avenue, was delayed after at least one board member said they had not received the updated packet that contained photographs and staff analysis. The city attorney advised tabling when packet materials were missing; the board voted to table the 813 Park Avenue item to the next meeting to allow full review.
The board also directed staff to improve packet notes for any future retroactive removals: include an explicit note in the staff report that a removal was performed before the meeting and attach photographs showing the condition that prompted the emergency action. Cassandra agreed to include those notes and images moving forward.
The meeting concluded with routine adjournment votes after the board completed the agenda.
