Tree Trimming, Removal Project under way in South Windsor

The West Road and Strong Road Tree Trimming and Removal Project is under way in South Windsor.

The town’s tree warden recently identified about 50 trees that have significant defects that make the trees more prone to falling.

Crews were scheduled to begin trimming, pruning and, in some cases removing, trees on Monday.

Read more from the press release below:

Trees are the number one cause for power outages. Trees also pose a risk to the motoring public and personal property. Trees that are in poor health with structural defects can come down in severe weather storm events and delay emergency responders as a result of road closures.

During the 2011 Storm Alfred snow event, the Town Garage access was blocked by downed trees and wires in all directions leading to and from our facility. We have started an inspection program near our facility because we are in many cases the first department called to respond in a severe weather event. We are also in close proximity to Firehouse #1 and #3. This area happens to have a very dense roadside forest.

Tree inspections of some of the dense tree canopy areas in Town have been and will continue to done in response storm Alfred, the 2011 early snow storm that left much of the Town without power for up to eight days. Foster Road was completed in 2013. Two miles of Strong Road was completed in 2014.

West Road was recently inspected by the Tree Warden and found to be in need of trimming and pruning for safety and vehicle clearance. An inspection also revealed the need for some tree removals.

Approximately 50 trees were identified to have significant defects that make the trees more prone to fail and impact the road and or overhead utility lines. These trees are growing in or over the Towns Right of Way.

The Town’s tree contactor, Distinctive Tree Care will be removing some of the trees and performing the pruning work in accordance with latest Arboricultural Standards and Practices. Eversource Energy will also be removing some trees that pose a critical threat to their infrastructure and our roads.

The work is being done on all of West Road and trimming will continue onto Strong Road heading west from West Road to Nutmeg Road North.

Residents who have questions or concerns can contact the South Windsor Tree Warden, Street Services Division Manager, Mark Owens at 860-648-6366. Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.