Tree On Melrose Common Playground Identified As Hazard And Removed Prior To Playground Renovation
Written and Photographed By Ellen Putnam
The large, beloved scarlet oak tree at the Melrose Common playground was removed this week when, during routine tree work ahead of the planned playground renovation, the city’s Tree Warden identified the tree as an immediate danger. There had been significant fungus growth at the tree’s base, and the tree’s stump shows a significant hollow inside the tree.
The potential hazard posed by falling trees is still very present in the minds of many community members in the aftermath of the tragic death of nine-year-old Zakaria Bel Qaid, who was struck by a falling tree on the Winthrop Elementary School playground this spring. That playground structure was removed following the incident, and it is slated for replacement, although it will not be ready when students return to school next week.
City Communications Manager Tom Dalton noted that the City of Melrose has been even more vigilant than usual in inspecting trees on city property since the incident on the Winthrop School playground. (The tree that was involved in the incident was not on city-owned land. The property owner stated that the tree had been inspected recently, and there was no indication that it would pose a hazard.)
The removal of trees on city property is governed by state law, which holds that, in general, only trees that are determined to be dead, dying, or hazardous should be removed. Notices are usually posted on trees that are slated for removal, so that residents can voice concerns ahead of time; but, as in the case of the tree on the Melrose Common, that wait time can be omitted if the tree poses an immediate danger to the public.
A limb was removed from another large tree on the playground as part of the routine tree work, but that tree is otherwise expected to remain as it is.
Generations of children played in the oak tree's roots and parkgoers of all ages enjoyed its shade
The work on the playground itself is one of several projects that was funded by the $1.2 million appropriation for the city’s parks that was included in the supplemental budget that was passed after voters approved the $13.5 million override last year. In addition to maintenance and tree work, that appropriation also covered:
- Replacing the playground structure at Dunton Park on Franklin Street (work for which is expected to begin in September and be completed in October);
- Softball and baseball field improvements at several locations;
- Repairs to the tennis courts at Crystal Street and Tremont Street (including the addition of pickleball courts), and returning the Foss Park basketball courts to their original use after pickleball play was removed from that location.
While the playground for younger children on the Common is still fairly new, the playground for older children is aging (we’re not certain, but our research suggests it may have been installed in 1997), and will be replaced with a new structure. That work is expected to begin in mid-September and is expected to last for three to six weeks.
The Melrose Tree Project had identified the scarlet oak tree on its list of Heritage Trees of Melrose. James Horne of the Melrose Tree Project said: "It is sad when a 150-200 year old tree that is providing for us and the environment is taken down, especially when it has a historic connection to one of the oldest parks in Melrose. Our grandchildren may be the first to see a tree provide equivalent value. That being said, the lowest cut shows that almost four feet out of the seven foot total diameter had decayed due to insects and rot. The DPW team made a good, but difficult call to have it removed."
