Tisbury commission approves removal of dead pines at 48 Howard Street with strict conditions

The Tisbury Conservation Commission on May 19 approved an amended Order of Conditions for 48 Howard Street (DEP File 074-0999) to allow removal of confirmed dead pine trees and limited understory pruning, the commission said. The vote was 4–0 with Commissioner David Reed abstaining because he was not present at the hearing.

The action arose after property owner Patrick Targete requested removal of dead pines, pruning of dead branches and trimming of understory vegetation to roughly four feet in a designated view corridor to improve visibility. Targete also asked to remove an oak encumbered by bittersweet vine but later agreed the vine could be cut at the base rather than removing the tree. He withdrew a separate request to clean and reclaim the beach access path and said he plans to submit a proposal for an elevated beach walkway at a later date.

The commission adopted nine conditions governing the work: removal only of confirmed dead pine trees; vista pruning limited to understory vegetation exceeding four feet in height within the designated corridor; prohibition on topping the canopy; pruning on primary trees limited to branches approximately three inches in diameter or less; removal of identified invasive species to the greatest extent practicable; debris located 20 feet from the top of the coastal bank to be cut and laid no higher than approximately 2.5 feet (wood chipping of debris is prohibited); the bittersweet vine on the oak is to be cut at the base and removed without damaging the tree; submission of a planting plan of 100% native species within 25 feet of the coastal bank for commission review and approval; and notification to the Conservation Agent prior to any tree removal with the agent present during work.

John Best made the motion to approve the amended Order with the stated conditions and Sarah Toste seconded; Chairman Thomas Robinson, Best, Lilian Robinson and Toste voted to approve, and David Reed abstained. The conditions carry implementation requirements: the applicant must file the native planting plan in the fall and coordinate work with Conservation Agent Sean Young, the commission said.

Next steps: Targete must submit the native-planting plan and schedule the approved work with the Conservation Agent, who is required to be present during removal and pruning activities. The commission will monitor compliance as part of the existing DEP file.