Town Trees

The Town's Tree Bylaw requires that any trees removed by the Town on Town property should follow the same process (involving a public hearing) as for trees governed by state law for trees along our streets. The Public Grounds Division has not abided by this requirement and proceeds with removal of trees on Town property without public visibility or review.

§ 120-4.A:

A. Applicability. The circumstances under which the tree protection, removal and replacement regulatory process delineated in this bylaw shall apply are as follows:

(1) Proposed cutting (trunk, limbs or roots) of existing public shade trees on public and private ways (accepted or

unaccepted streets) or of Town trees on Town-owned (or leased land being used as a public facility) by any person.

§ 120-7 Public shade trees and Town trees.

A. Scope. A public shade tree or Town tree may not be cut, pruned, removed or damaged by any person or the Town until and unless the Tree Warden issues a written permit pursuant to this section.

Examples from 2022

The "37 Pines" behind the Town pool and tennis courts

Concerned that recent construction had treated the roots of these trees harshly, nearby residents asked the Town to consult an arborist to look after their health.

Likely driven by a knee-jerk liability concern, the Town contracted an arborist to write a short report that called for all 37 mature pines to be removed, without addressing the condition of any tree individually.

Another expert disagreed with this conclusion, deeming the recommendation to remove as "inappropriate and reckless". His assessment found that 34 of the 37 trees were in good health and structural condition.

The Tree Committee was never consulted or even notified of the matter.

Local residents organized to oppose the Town's decision. Ultimately 12 of the trees were saved. Read more at preserve-lex-trees.org

Westview Cemetery

In July of 2022, the Town clear-cut a large heavily-wooded parcel in the Westview Cemetery as part of a construction project.

There was no public process and no review by the Tree Warden.

Woodlands near the High School

At a March 29, 2022, meeting of the Working Group on High School and Center Recreation Area, the group discussed clear-cutting a 3-acre heavily-wooded parcel that lies across Worthen Rd from the High School. The purpose was to use this area as a temporary "lay down area" during construction, where materials and equipment could be stored.

Local residents were upset at the idea of permanently loosing a woodland, which abuts an ACROSS Lexington trail, for temporary use. A letter was sent to the working group, signed by many resident. We hope that due consideration will be given to the inherent value of this woodland when the LHS construction project commences.

It is widely believed that the wooded parcel on the other side, between the farmers market and the Fieldhouse, will be lost to the High School project.