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Select Board continues hearing on removal of two white oaks at 122 Jericho Path
Summary
The board continued a public hearing to June 8 after the tree warden recommended removing only the smaller white oak and the applicant agreed to provide revised plans showing alternatives to preserve the larger tree.
The Select Board continued a public hearing on a request to remove two public shade trees — two white oaks at 122 Jericho Path — to June 8 to allow the applicant to present a revised site plan that could preserve the larger oak.
Tree warden Jeremiah Pearson recommended removing only the smaller, 15-inch-diameter oak and planting replacements. Applicant Chris Ryder, representing the property developer, said the two trees are sited in the driveway entrance and raised safety and aesthetic concerns. He offered to plant multiple replacement trees and shrubs and said the project would go well beyond the minimum replacement requirement.
Neighbors urged saving the older, larger (19-inch) oak and highlighted the long time required for new plantings to reach the canopy value of mature shade trees. "When you cut these trees down, they're at least 60 years old," one resident said, asking the board to preserve the older oaks where feasible.
Board members indicated they would prefer the applicant attempt a reconfiguration that spares the larger tree and asked for a photo-backed site plan showing the alternative layout; the hearing was continued to June 8 to allow that submission.
The tree warden's written recommendation and the applicant’s mitigation plan are expected to be part of the June 8 submission.
