News release from the Tree and Open Space Commission, City of Newport RI

In association with Scott Wheeler, Newport Tree and Parks Supervisor, July 14, 2008

Newport’s elderly beech trees need tender loving care,

and new generations to replace them

Fourth of July weekend brought not only the noise of fireworks, but also the sound of another beech tree crashing onto a Newport street. This time it was a large specimen on an estate at the corner of Narragansett and Clay that people had admired for decades. Two weeks earlier, a major limb of a colorful copper beech had fallen onto signs near the Narragansett-Bellevue Avenue intersection. Although at first glance the trees appeared to be in perfect health, both failed during moderate wind or rain events because of internal decay between the tree’s large leaders. Fortunately, no one was hurt and a Tree and Grounds Division crew quickly opened up the street to traffic. [See photos.]

Scott Wheeler, Newport’s Tree and Parks Supervisor who is also the City’s Tree Warden and a certified arborist, says: “We are seeing more structural failures from decay in beech trees. Most of our specimen beeches have reached old age. A fungus called Phytophthora is attacking many of them. These beeches are vulnerable because they are weakened by age, and also because buildup on former estates is squeezing into their growing space.”

To help tackle this critical problem, the Newport Tree and Open Space Commission (appointed by City Council) has teamed up with Scott Wheeler to produce an information bulletin on good care and replacement of beech trees. One of its themes is that owners should engage qualified tree services with licensed, certified arborists to monitor their beech trees carefully and take remedial steps if need be. For example, a properly installed cable system might forestall collapses like those on Narragansett Avenue. Equally important is what residents themselves can do to provide beeches with healthy settings, such as limiting soil compaction, preventing root damage from excavations, adding mulch, and watering during drought periods. The bark and roots of beeches are very sensitive. Burying irrigation systems or parking vehicles underneath beeches can do much damage, not to mention banging into or carving on beech trunks.

The Commission’s new bulletin urges owners to plan for decline of their old beeches by planting replacements now. That way, the younger trees will have gained considerable size when their large cousins are lost. At a moderate cost, the City can help property owners to obtain and plant suitable trees within 20 feet of a right-of-way. For locations farther in than 20 feet, another concerned group – the Newport Tree Society – has an annual specimen tree sale.

The entire beech-care bulletin (Information Bulletin #4) is on the Public Services/Trees and Parks section of the City’s web site, www.cityofnewport.com. Also downloadable there are three other tree-care bulletins, details of Newport’s street tree planting program, and recent initiatives of the Tree and Open Space Commission.

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• This news release and photos are from Dr. David W. Brown, information point person, Newport Tree and Open Space Commission, phone 401-848-9427 (day & evening), djbrown2d@yahoo.com.

• Newport Tree and Parks Supervisor Scott Wheeler is at 401-845-5802 (office) and swheeler@cityofnewport.com.