Not uncommon for locust trees to have dead wood within the canopy. The tree does not appear to be in distress and is will not be removed. Branches may be trimmed by a certified arborist after a consultation with the city's Tree Warden.

If you would like to discuss this issue further please contact the Department of Public Works at (978)281-9785 to set up an appointment with the Director.

Thank you for reporting your concern to the City of Gloucester. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further. Gloucester, MA staff will provide regular updates here as we work towards resolving this issue. You will be notified via email about our progress. Thank you again for helping us be aware of how we can help improve our community!

Many, many dead and dying trees in or leaning over public roadways, plus Seaside Cemetery still has large dead oaks. I know the DPW has a lot of responsibilities and a limited budget, and National Grid needs to do their part to protect utility lines but public shade trees are in fact the responsibility of the City. Don't duck your responsibilities, as you did, Mike Hale, when I asked about the dying ash tree leaning out over the intersection of Washington & Emerald Sts. Per MGL Chp. 87 Section 1. "All trees within a public way or on the boundaries thereof including trees planted in accordance with the provisions of section 7 shall be public shade trees; and when it appears in any proceeding in which the ownership of or rights in a tree are material to the issue, that, from length of time or otherwise, the boundaries of the highway cannot be made certain by records or monuments, and that for that reason it is doubtful whether the tree is within the highway, it shall be taken to be within the highway and to be public property until the contrary is shown." WE can't expect every property owner to take care of the dying public shade trees on the boundary of their land and the public way. For public safety the DPW has to deal with them.

Mr. Thoms,

There is no shortage of trees in need of removal, citywide. We have removed over 500 in 2020. We will continue this effort to manage the City’s tree inventory. We will be back to Seaside in the early fall for additional tree removal and planting.

Unfortunately, the public responsibility ends where private property begins. The tree at Emerald and Washington St, is on private property. We have no authority to simply remove a privately owned tree, nor offer the services of removal. Also, there is no expectation that a homeowner, adjacent to a dying public tree, has the responsibility to remove it, the responsibility is only when the tree is on private property.

Thank you for reporting this issue to us. We are pleased to report back to you that this issue is now resolved.