Glastonbury Streamlines Approval Process For Invasive Tree Temoval

GLASTONBURY, CT — Glastonbury officials have adopted a policy designed to simplify the approval process for treating and removing the tree-of-heaven, an invasive species that serves as a preferred host for the invasive spotted lanternfly.

The Conservation Commission adopted the policy Oct. 8, authorizing the town's environmental planner to review and approve management plans for tree-of-heaven growing within eligible publicly and privately owned conservation easements.

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Previously, conservation easement agreements required commission review and approval for certain activities, including herbicide applications and tree removal. The new policy allows the environmental planner to approve qualifying requests without requiring each one to go before the commission or its chair.

The policy applies only to conservation easements that are not subject to wetlands and watercourses restrictions. It does not grant automatic permission to remove trees or apply herbicides.

Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is an invasive plant that threatens native ecosystems and provides a preferred host for the spotted lanternfly, another invasive species.

Property owners who suspect tree-of-heaven is growing on their land should first confirm the plant's identity. The town recommends using identification tools such as PictureThis or iNaturalist's Seek app. Additional information about identification and management is available through the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group at the University of Connecticut.

Residents can check whether their property is subject to a conservation easement through the town's geographic information system website.

Owners who believe tree-of-heaven is growing within a privately owned conservation easement should email Environmental Planner Suzanne Simone at suzanne.simone@glastonbury-ct.gov with a screenshot of the plant identification results. Simone may arrange a site visit to confirm the species.

Property owners must hire a professional at their own expense to develop a management plan for treatment or removal. The environmental planner will review the proposed plan, and required approval must be obtained before work begins.

Owners of privately held conservation easements are responsible for the cost of professional treatment and removal.

For eligible town-owned conservation easements, the town's tree warden and Parks and Recreation staff will identify the trees and determine appropriate management practices in coordination with the environmental planner.

Questions about the policy or approval process can be directed to Simone at suzanne.simone@glastonbury-ct.gov.