On Brookline

Thanks to the winds of the past two days, we are able to get a good look at the work being performed at the St. Aidan’s housing project. Seems the “safety fencing” around the site is no match for a 30 mph gust.

And despite assurances from the town’s so-called conservationist [see previous column], the copper beech tree (which was the subject of considerable concern during the project’s planning phase) sure looks vulnerable; what with a pile driver in the root system and all.

Folks, take the word of Brookline town government at your own peril.

Update: And many are the times that Brookline’s Housing Director Fran “The Snitch” Price has told us that the property at St. Aidan’s would be considerably more valuable were it not for the pesky tree. Timber.

The Town’s Parks Director tells us:

Mr. Connolly,

I note in your email you refer to the pile drier being located with the root system of the Beech Tree. In most cases the root zone of a tree is approximately 2 to 3 times the height of the tree, i.e. if the tree is 30 feet tall the root system extends 90 feet from the trunk of the tree. This assumes there are no restrictions which would prevent the root zone from extending to it’s natural limit. These limitations would include such things, as foundations, curbing, compacted soils, or ledge.

In the photo you posted the shot was taken from Pleasant Street looking across the area of construction towards the beech tree. The Rectory for the church and a small garage were previously in this location. These structures both had foundations which served as root barriers to the Beech Tree. During the removal of these structures and their foundations an independent consulting arborist was on site for the entire duration of the demolition and excavation process to ensure there was no damage to the root zone of the beech tree.

The Tree Warden also made several site visits during this process. Approximately 15 roots were found that had encroached into the foundation of the Rectory. Once the excavation was completed these roots were pruned to ensure regenerative growth per arboricultural practices. The new excavation at the site will place the new foundation walls approximately eight feet further away from the Beech tree than the former conditions, resulting in a net increase of root zone for the beech tree. All of these activities took place immediately outside of the Tree Protection Zone.

Because the excavation is taking place immediately adjacent to the Tree Protection Zone, as shown in your photo, the contractor submitted a written request to temporarily relocate approximately fifteen linear feet of fence three feet to prevent it from falling into the hole and injuring a worker during the excavation process. Upon the installation of the sheet piling this section of fence will be moved back to it’s original location.

In addition to these steps, the Tree Warden has been on site virtually each day since the excavation has begun to ensure there is no encroachment into the Tree Protection Zone. The work on site will continue in close proximity to, but outside of, the Tree Protection Zone per the permitted plans. Thank you for your inquiry on this matter.

Sincerely,
Erin Gallentine
Director of Parks and Open Space

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