Ellington's Public Trees Valued At Nearly $26 Million

ELLINGTON, CT — Ellington's public trees are worth nearly $26 million, according to a new townwide inventory that also identified seven trees with high-risk ratings.

ArborPro Inc. began the GPS-based census in June and recorded 4,252 trees and 300 stumps. The draft report includes trees along town roads, in municipal parks and on other town-owned property.

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Most of the trees were found to be in good shape. The report rated 2,912 in good condition and another 1,109 in fair condition, accounting for about 95 percent of the trees surveyed. Sixty-eight were rated poor, while 163 were listed as dead or declining.

Seven trees received high-risk ratings, 358 were rated as a moderate risk and the remaining 3,887 were considered low risk.

Of the report's maintenance recommendations, two trees were placed in the most urgent removal category. ArborPro defines that category as trees with defects that cannot be practically treated and that pose an elevated risk of failure.

The report recommended 60 additional trees for second-priority removal and 123 for lower-priority removal. It also called for removing all 300 stumps. Most of the trees surveyed — 3,981 — need only routine pruning.

Structural defects were the most frequently recorded issue, appearing 520 times. Arborists also noted signs of pests or disease 235 times and declining health or canopy dieback 209 times.

The inventory identified 80 different species. Red maples were the most common, with 860 counted, followed by 560 red oaks and 329 white oaks.

ArborPro used an industry appraisal formula to estimate that the surveyed trees would be worth $25,977,518 to replace in their current size and condition. The report also calculated more than $1.28 million in annual benefits from carbon uptake, energy savings, stormwater management and pollution removal.

The project was supported by a $14,000 U.S. Forest Service grant administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. According to state grant records, it is Ellington's first comprehensive street-tree inventory.

Town officials will review the findings during a public information meeting Monday, Aug. 31, at 5 p.m. at the Department of Public Works, 21 Main St. Remote attendance information is included in the town's meeting notice.