Eastham commission approves removal and pruning at 30 Drake Circle after arborist cites storm damage, disease

The Eastham Conservation Commission on June 9 approved an administrative review allowing the removal of six trees and selective pruning at 30 Drake Circle, concluding the work can proceed with conditions to protect nearby wetlands.

Arborist Sean Crehan of Save a Tree described extensive storm damage and disease on several trees at the property, saying, “It seemed like a total loss,” for one cedar and noting black knot had caused “about 50% canopy decline” on cherry trees. Crehan told commissioners one heavily leaning black cherry poses a long-term failure risk because “the angle of lean on it is pretty extreme” and that failure would most likely occur at the root.

Commission members discussed options to prune or remove trees and about replacement plantings. Crehan said fungicide treatment is not an option within the wetland buffer: “The fungicides that we use are not to be used within 100 ft of a body of water,” and he recommended sanitation pruning and off-site removal of infected material when feasible.

The commission approved the administrative review with special conditions that include a pre-pruning meeting on-site between the contractor and the conservation agent, annual vista-pruning maintenance where applicable, and requirements to notify the conservation office before work begins. Commissioners also asked for native replacements, with black tupelo discussed as a preferred species.

The decision follows a site visit earlier in the day by commissioners and staff. The approval authorizes staff to sign off administratively once the listed conditions are satisfied.