WESTBROOK – In danger of toppling, a huge tree that survived more than a century of hurricanes and blizzards finally fell to chain saws in Westbrook on Wednesday.
The giant silver maple that had started to rot was taken down for safety’s sake at 26 Longfellow St. The city’s Public Services Department teamed up with Lucas Tree and Central Maine Power to cut the giant that towered high above rooftops of nearby homes.
Westbrook arborist Doug Eaton said the tree was about 100 feet tall with a diameter of 8 feet at its stump. Eaton said the tree was likely 100 to 125 years old, but not the city’s oldest. He planned to count the growth rings to determine its age.
“This maple tree lost one of its main leaders a few years ago in a wind storm, knocking down the three-phase wires that supply power to part of Westbrook and Gorham,” Eaton said. “Since then, the tree has exposed more decay and tree rot than previously seen or thought.”
The tree was partially on land owned by Rae Goldberg, who bought the property in November, and she was unaware of city plans to cut the tree until her surveyor notified her about it.
“I didn’t know anything about this until last night,” a surprised Goldberg said Wednesday, as chain saws whirred and cranes lifted logs onto trucks.
Goldberg is saddened by its loss. She’s hoping that neighbors don’t blame her for cutting the tree.
“I don’t want to be the bad guy here,” Goldberg said.
Eaton said a couple of neighbors were disappointed to see the tree go, while others are relieved.
Eaton said health of the tree had declined in recent years and had ants living in it. Eaton said Central Maine Power is paying Lucas Tree to remove the tree.
Work was expected to take two days. Eaton estimated the tree contained five to seven cords of wood. Goldberg will get some of the firewood to burn, along with chips for her garden.
“Sad,” Goldberg said. “There goes my air conditioning.”
Workers saw limbs Wednesday on a 100-foot maple tree that is being cut down on Longfellow Street in Westbrook. The tree, which suffered from rot, is estimated to be 100 to 125 years old.Staff photo by Robert Lowell
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