It is the Tree Warden's responsibility to oversee the planting of trees (birth), to maintain and care for the trees (life), and to remove injured or dangerous trees in the public area (death). The Tree Warden organizes and keeps track of every public shade tree that is to be planted and every tree that has already been planted in the town of Sturbridge. It is the Tree Warden’s goal not only to preserve the community forestry of Sturbridge, but to enhance it.
Since the late 1890s, by the General Laws in Massachusetts, every town is required to have a Tree Warden.
BIRTH:
The Tree Warden determines where trees can be planted within public property (the common, streets, parks, etc). Planting a tree on town property or street rights of way without consent from the Tree Warden is a violation of state law because the tree may become an obstacle or could be endangered if planted in the wrong spot.
LIFE:
The Tree Warden maintains all public shade trees by inspection, pruning, and trimming where needed. Pest control is also part of the Tree Warden’s duties in caring for the health of our trees.
DEATH:
Dead public shade trees in the town of Sturbridge are removed immediately. Additionally, the Tree Warden must remove hazardous public shade trees that are found to be structurally weak and liable to fall. Generally when limbs fall it serves as an indication to when a tree may be weak, though sometimes the entire tree falls without warning. Such cases can be avoided if trees are raised healthy.
If you are aware of any unsafe public shade trees in any way, please contact the Tree Warden immediately using the contact information above.
MOTH INSPECTOR:
The Tree Warden of the town of Sturbridge also serves as the town's Moth Inspector. The "Moth Inspector" was originally called the Dutch Elms Disease Inspector, but the title was changed because the job was so overwhelmingly related to the inspection and control of gypsy moths. The position was formed to combat the large outbreaks of diseases and insects that attacked countless tree populations. While the official title today is the Insect Pest Control, the post is still often referred to as Moth Inspector.
The Moth Inspector's duties are informing the public and, when needed, controlling various insect pests that pose a threat to the health or mortality of local trees.
To learn more, click on one of the links on the left.
artwork by David Howard
| 
