Historic sugar maple at Horticultural Society ruled unsafe, must come down
WELLESLEY — A 200-year-old sugar maple tree at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society has been declared structurally unsafe due to wood decay fungus and must be removed, according to a report first flagged this week. Meanwhile, library patrons have a final chance this week to catch the Wellesley Theatre Project's summer production before it closes.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Wellesley Free Library's Main branch and Fells branch are running a full slate of summer programming this week. Adults can join a virtual dietitian talk on protein goals Wednesday afternoon, an "Online Retail (E-Commerce) 101" session Wednesday evening, and outdoor watercolor painting on the Main Library terrace Friday morning. Families have storytime offerings at both Fells and Main branches Wednesday morning, along with a Thursday session of Tech Time in Jackie's Room and a Thursday-afternoon Social Worker Hour. The library's summer Program Guide, covering May through August, remains available for residents planning ahead, and the Hills Branch renovation project continues to progress, per library updates.
Area arts followers should note that the Wellesley Theatre Project's staging of "The Sound of Music" is in its final performances, according to a Google Alerts item citing the Swellesley Report, with the Von Trapp children's "Favorite Things" number among the highlights captured in production photos.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Why a 200-year-old tree at the MA Horticultural Society must come down": A historic sugar maple tree in Wellesley has been declared structurally unsafe because of a wood decay fungus and is slated for removal, according to MetroWest Daily News and Wicked Local reporting (read it at https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/local/2026/07/27/historic-sugar-maple-tree-wellesley-ma-horticultural-society-declared-structurally-unsafe/91035913007/).
"Wellesley town government meetings for week of July 27, 2026: School policy discussion": Town committees this week are taking up continued executive sessions tied to a town lawsuit along with Select Board policy updates, according to the Swellesley Report, cited via a Google Alerts email (read it at https://theswellesleyreport.com/2026/07/wellesley-town-government-meetings-for-week-of-july-27-2026-school-policy-discussion-continued-executive-sessions-for-town-lawsuit-select-board-policy-updates/).
"Wellesley cyclists, volunteers coming out in big numbers for Pan-Mass Challenge charity event": Local riders and volunteers are turning out heavily for this year's Pan-Mass Challenge fundraising ride, according to the Swellesley Report, referenced via a Google Alerts digest.
"Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Grows: How To Order Fast Food Safely In MA": A multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak has been linked to shredded lettuce, prompting food-safety guidance for diners statewide, according to Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
"Natick Couple Settles Bizarre eBay Harassment Lawsuit For $55.7 Million: Firm": A Natick couple has reached a large settlement after alleging they were harassed over their e-commerce blog, according to Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick/natick-couple-settles-bizarre-ebay-harassment-lawsuit-55-7-million-firm).
COMING UP
The Wellesley Free Library has several near-term programs: Painting in the Garden: Watercolor Landscapes on Friday, July 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the Main Library terrace; a Baby Storytime on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; and the library closed all day Sunday, Aug. 2. Teens can join "Plant a Seed, Make a Book!" in the Wakelin Room on Monday, Aug. 3, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and adults can attend a Jigsaw Puzzle Race on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.