SURVEY: Concord Tree Preservation Subcommittee Seeks Public Feedback: ICYMI

Editor's Note: This story was posted earlier this week. Here it is again in case you missed it.

CONCORD, MA—The Concord Tree Preservation Subcommittee is inviting the public to give input and feedback regarding tree removal in town.

The Subcommittee's charge to examine tree removal in Concord, and measure the burdens and benefits of proposing new tree removal bylaws in Concord. The group is seeking public feedback on the issue through an online survey.

A press release from Town Manager Elizabeth Hughes indicated that tree removal has caused some of the neighborhoods in town to loose their rural character.

Concord currently has no meaningful regulation measures for tree clearings on private property, except where the Wetlands Bylaw applies. As a result, there have been many scenarios where stands of trees have been cleared on development sites, whether out of necessity to accommodate a project or for convenience.

The trend has caused many neighborhoods to lose their rural character, along with the environmental and quality of life benefits that trees provide. Environmental and public health benefits provided by trees include mitigation of climate change, reduced erosion and flooding, reduction in energy costs, cleaner air, and wildlife habitat.

Given that private property rights must also be respected, and given that trees provide a public benefit as well as a benefit to the landowner, the Tree Preservation Subcommittee has been asked to study and recommend, if appropriate, measures to control excessive or unnecessary tree removal.

Any proposed bylaw as a result of the research done by the subcommittee would be presented to voters at the 2017 Annual Town Meeting. You can take the survey by clicking here.