Wethersfield To Plant 65 Trees With State Grant, Review Bike Trail Tree Removals

WETHERSFIELD, CT — The Wethersfield Shade Tree Commission will discuss plans to plant 65 trees throughout town using state grant funding and review a request to remove eight trees for a proposed bicycle and walking trail when it meets Oct. 13.

The commission will also consider requests for additional trees at the new Highcrest Elementary School site, along with several proposed tree removals elsewhere in town.

According to the meeting agenda, Wethersfield received an additional $11,512 beyond its original grant request from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Urban and Community Forestry State Urban Forest Resilience Grant program.

The funding will support the town's Tree Canopy Improvement Project, which calls for removing 15 declining trees along streets and in parks and planting 65 replacement trees throughout Wethersfield.

The town has identified 45 planting locations and must select another 20 sites to complete the project.

Eight Trees Proposed For Removal Along Bike Trail

The town's Engineering Department is requesting the removal of eight trees to accommodate a proposed asphalt bicycle and walking trail near Marsh Street and the I-91 entrance ramp.

The proposed removals include a Kousa dogwood in front of three oak trees and a pear tree near the I-91 entrance ramp, and three maple trees in a wooded area next to Metropolitan District property.

The maple trees are near a drainage easement where a new culvert is planned to provide access across a drainage area.

According to the agenda, Brian Kenny requested replacement plantings in areas where trees would be removed during a Sept. 30 meeting with contractors overseeing the project.

Additional Trees Requested At New Highcrest School

Commission members Mary Sena and Nancy Jainchill have requested seven additional trees for the landscaping plan at the Kycia Farm site, where the new Highcrest Elementary School is planned.

The proposed plantings would include pin oaks and bald cypress trees along Collier Road, between the new sidewalk and a proposed playing field where existing trees are being removed.

Inland Wetlands Commission member Lauren Pagani has separately requested a grouping of evergreen trees in the open space southwest of the school, between the building and the proposed playing field.

Both requests have been submitted to TSKP Studio for approval as additions to the previously approved landscaping plans.

Other Tree Removal Requests

The commission will review three additional tree removal matters:

• A request to remove a maple tree measuring 30 inches in diameter at breast height. The tree is located just inside the sidewalk, within the town right-of-way.
• A proposed removal of a 29-inch-diameter maple tree. During maintenance pruning, town workers found that approximately 75 percent of its crown was dead. The tree stands near the side of the property closest to google.com.
• The Engineering Department is requesting removal of an 8-inch-diameter crabapple tree to accommodate crosswalk entrance ramps intended to provide students with safer access across Church Street.

Fall Planting And Maintenance Work

The commission will also review the town's fall 2026 tree planting program.

According to the agenda, 34 trees have already been planted, including 12 'First Blush' cherry trees, eight 'Autumn Brilliance' serviceberries, five 'Fastigiata' hornbeams, six pin oaks, one fringe tree and two 'Green Vase' zelkovas.

Other work scheduled for October includes street tree pruning, completion of fall planting, removal of hazardous trees and preparation for a 2027 DEEP grant.

The commission will also consider approval of its September meeting minutes and receive public comments.