NRC approves removal of 31 public shade trees in town
Wellesley NRC approves removal of 31 deteriorating public shade trees. The Commission voted unanimously to remove 19 residential and campus trees and 12 Central Street commercial district trees, all cited for advanced decay, structural failure, and hazards to roadways and utility lines. NRC
Natural Resources Commission (NRC) · Meeting of August 10, 2026
Wellesley NRC approves removal of 31 deteriorating public shade trees. The Commission voted unanimously to remove 19 residential and campus trees and 12 Central Street commercial district trees, all cited for advanced decay, structural failure, and hazards to roadways and utility lines. NRC Director Brandon Schmitt attributed the large list to DPW Park and Tree completing overdue monitoring rather than reflecting a policy change.
The Commission also provisionally approved three Green Ash trees at 574 Washington Street pending confirmation of public shade tree status. In related business, the town received a $500,000 USDA grant for tree planting initiatives and planning documents.
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Source: the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting of August 10, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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