aarontolkin@gmail.com Tue, Jun 13, 9:58 PM to Treewarden Dear Dr. Failla, I was deeply saddened this morning to see your notice of tree removal on the large red oak on Norfield Road. After reviewing the report from Bartlett, it is far from conclusive that the decision to remove the tree is the right one. Is there nothing that can be done to save the tree? We all cut down so many trees. Can’t we find a way to save this 150+ year old mainstay on Norfield Road? Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Aaron Tolkin From: Michelle Fracasso Date: Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 9:16 PM Subject: Norfield Red Oak Hi Tom, It was saddened to read the removal notice of the Norfield red oak. If memory serves, they cut it back aggressively 9 or so years ago, which probably hastened its demise. Yes, I know it has grown too close to the roadway. The removal notice says that its diameter at breast height is 100” (8.3’). Who are they selling the harvested wood to? I haven’t seen it lately to note if it is rotted down the middle, but if it isn’t, it has value. I hope this beautiful tree will benefit the town or be used to make something. In a week where 8.2 million acres have burned, and air quality kept us indoors, removing this ancient tree is a blow. I did read the report prepared by Bartlett. I am not one of their fans. See you Thursday at the Aspetuck Annual Meeting. Regards, Michelle Christina Koether Wed, Jun 14, 2:34 PM (3 days ago) to Treewarden, samanthanestor, Pollinator, Weston, Ted Good Afternoon, I am writing to express my concern about the removal of the Oak(s) on Norfield. Oaks, because it isn't one tree. It's many grown together, as you know, but the report from Bartlett doesn't acknowledge. While I am not an arborist, I did notice enough things within the report that were incorrectly named (parts of the tree), or identified as a concern (fungal fruiting bodies) that simply are not an issue. I would hope that a second opinion was considered? If the structural damage is primarily in one of the trees, can we remove just that one of the remaining three? We will be taking down so many trees, all native, for the sidewalks. I really do hope there is an effort to preserve as many as possible, and replant to make up for the loss. As you see driving around town, the sides of a large number of our roads are infested with non native invasives like burning bush, japanese knotweed and barberry, all increasing at an alarming rate appearingly unchecked by the town. Seeing that, simultaneously with the loss of an iconic keystone native oak, is upsetting for the nature lovers in town. It should be for everyone. What can I do to help? If the tree must be removed, how can we shift the balance back to promoting natives and removing invasives. Can we plant a red oak in its place? Please see the photo on our GC website for the last time the tree was a concern. We were able to come together for a solution that gave us 9 years more of this gorgeous red oak. https://www.westonctgardenclub.com/our-history Thank you, Christina Koether MARY STEINHARTER Fri, Jun 16, 5:58 PM (9 hours ago) I am not in support of cutting this tree down. I also wrote in that I was against cutting the dogwoods along school road. I am not sure if writing about my opposition helps, but I do hope you will try to save this landmark if a tee. There are not many left of this age. The way people are clear cutting lots to build houses. The lot behind me on ridge lane was clear cut for a new house. We need restrictions. Dale Steinharter Joanne lane Sent from my iPhone Chris Reilly Fri, Jun 16, 7:59 PM Hello, I am writing to strongly urge you to reconsider cutting down this historic tree that is so iconic to our town. Please please please reconsider if there’s any way to save this at all. Sincerely, Chris Reilly Courtney Blahosky Fri, Jun 16, 8:00 PM Hi, I am writing to you regarding the Oak on Norfield rd which is marked for removal. I read the report and while I understand the risk is moderate, I would like you to consider other options to save this tree. Given the size and age of the tree, it is has such special meaning to the town. Many of us love our trees here in Weston and preserving them should be the top priority. Please reconsider the removal of the oak on Norfield and do what you can to save it. Thank you, Courtney Blahosky Lauren Traum Fri, Jun 16, 9:41 PM Dear Mr. Failla, I am writing to contest the removal of the red oak tree at Norfield Farms Road and Norfield Road. I ask that the town hold a public hearing before a final decision is made to remove the tree. Thank you. Lauren Traum Yvonne DeFrancesco Fri, Jun 16, 10:29 PM Please reconsider your decision to remove this historic Weston landmark. It adds character and beauty to our town besides being a resting place for neighborhood birds. How many standing trees today can remember seeing horse and buggies, townspeople walking by to visit the center or church? Not many. I urge you and the town to let this beautiful tree be, thank you! Yvonne DeFrancesco William Lomas Sun, Jun 18, 4:19 PM Hi Tom, As per my earlier voice mail I stopped by the Norfield Oak which I posted for removal 7 years ago. At that point the tree had a large leader with metal embedded in it from a truck which didn’t gauge its height well. The rest of the leaders had some rot and the included bark showed the tree to have 4 separate leaders. Ultimately after the tree hearing I conclude that I would remove the low leader in question and let the remainder of the tree stay intact with five new cables for additional support. The tree would be checked at least annually. Upon looking at the tree this week it is easy to see it has continued to decline with both fungus and insects present in the leaders and its rotting center. I could not look at the cables very well from the ground, but per our conversation you said they are now under tremendous stress and are deformed. Knowing Bartlett did a tree risk assessment as well and came to similar conclusions as you and I, it seems it is time for the tree to be removed for everyone’s safety. This is unfortunate and sad, but as we know gravity takes us all back to the earth. Let’s make sure when it happens to this tree it is planned and not catastrophic. Best regards, Bill Lomas Sent from my iPhone Dara Reid Sun, Jun 18, 5:42 PM Dear Mr Failla, Please save this landmark red oak tree on Norfield Road. Thirty years ago, Shirley Stanton formerly of Steep Hill Road, had someone come down from the State and they proved it's one of the oldest trees known in CT. They saved it then. TOW should do everything possible to save it now. Instead of taking it down, which sadly has become the go to solution for Weston’s 100 plus year old oak trees, let's come up with a creative solution. Maybe put a stop sign there. And encircle the tree with a fence and put up a Landmark Sign giving this tree it's due...and its historical significance. Please fertilize, trim, treat and do everything possible top save this mighty oak tree! Thank you for preserving Weston’s trees. Sincerely, -Dara Reid Abbey Dillon Mon, Jun 19, 7:39 PM Hi Tom, I hope you are well! I read the report about the tree on Norfield being recommended for removal. I totally understand that being so close to the road makes it especially hazardous, and saw the supporting cables were already noted as old in the inspection the last time it was flagged for removal. As it is such an old, landmark tree, I would like to understand what the options are to save it. Personally, I feel it may be better to die while still magnificent than be slowly chopped to a shadow of itself. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Kind regards, Abbey Claudia Hahn June 26, 2023 to me, Karin Thank you for sending this notice, Tom, and for carrying this heavy load. I wish we could have a ceremony to say thank you and goodbye to the tree and hopefully something constructive can be done with the wood. ??? Claudia RJC27 Attachments Jun 26, 2023, 4:41 PM (18 hours ago) to me, Martin, Amy, Samantha Dear Dr. Failla, I am writing to request documentation involving the proposed removal of the Norfield Oak tree. Specifically, I am requesting the documentation that demonstrates that the Town of Weston performed the initial and subsequent mitigation steps that were recommended and committed to in 2016. After the 2016 Public Hearing, held after the last posting for removal - overseen by a predecessor, Bill Loomis - the Town agreed the tree would be saved and work was funded by the Town to stabilize the tree. Importantly, the expert recommended ongoing steps such as annual inspections, cabling maintenance, pruning and inspections after significant storms. By this email, I request you provide me the records that demonstrate these steps were actually performed by the Town, or experts hired by the Town, each year since 2016 so that the commitment to the community made to extend the life of this remarkable specimen tree for “many years” was fulfilled. That this tree is in the condition it is in is not the fault of the tree. That its care was apparently neglected for so long leading up to 2016, that the Norfield Road diversion project was inadequate to prevent ongoing damage from vehicles and what appears to have been an apparent P&Z error in judgement that permitted an entrance to a sub p-division development project with its sole access road placed next to the tree were all contributors. Stewardship of this natural treasure was and is the town’s responsibility and the town committed to it in 2016. If these records cannot be produced before the scheduled Public Hearing, I suggest that the hearing be delayed. I do not see how a decision can be made, one way or another, without reviewing the records I have requested. Below are the summary and recommendations of the 2016 expert report. Thank you in advance, Bob Casson Farrell Rd. RJC27 June 27, 2023 8:37 AM (3 hours ago) Thanks, Tom. I am in Sarasota FL assisting my wife as she helps her mom (95 yrs old) recover from surgery, her second since mid April. As luck would have it, I Tree Warden 8:42 AM (2 hours ago) to RJC27 Below is the public notice. If it helps you, given your travel schedule, I will include your Mon. June 26 4:41p email as part of the record. Norfield Oak Zoom Public Hearing Notice June 29 4p - Please see below for details and Zoom link Office of Tree Warden, Town of Weston Notice of Public Hearing, June 29, 2023 at 4:00pm via Zoom Regarding the June 12, 2023 Posting of Tree Removal For a three-stemmed red oak on the Town of Weston right of way at Norfield Road and Norfield Farm Lane Under the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes, Sec. 23-59. Powers and duties of tree wardens, the tree warden is required to conduct a public hearing if the tree warden receives any objections in writing within ten days of the posting. Such written objections were received between June 13 and June 22, 2023. Pursuant to Public Act 22-3, the tree warden will conduct a public hearing on June 29, 2023 at 4:00pm via Zoom. This notice and relevant documents will be posted on the Town website: https://www.westonct.gov/government/municipal-departments/tree-warden and are available in the Land Use Department, Town Hall Annex, 24 School Road, M-Th, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. Join via the Zoom Meeting via Internet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84965661489?pwd=dnhQcUorbFJEaVBQb2JHUHpLVTczUT09 Join via Phone: +1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 849 6566 1489 Passcode: 742634 Dated at June 26, 2022 in Weston, CT by Dr. Tom Failla, Weston Tree Warden Tree Warden Attachments June 27, 2023 11:40 AM to RJC27 Bob - Attached is the Bartlett Dec. 22, 2016 contract authorized by my predecessor for care of the Norfield Oak. Since then my predecessor and I have conducted inspections of the tree seasonally and after heavy storms. Recent deterioration led me to contract Bartlett to conduct a level 2 and 3 risk assessment in May. That report is on the tree warden page of the town website. Cheers Tom