Trees To Be Cleared At Barnstable Airport Runways

BARNSTABLE, MA — Officials with the Barnstable Municipal Airport said they will clear trees near the surface of two runways. The tree removals are necessary to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and airport safety and certification requirements.

Officials said the project allows for runway approaches and maintains the necessary safety conditions for landings. Tree removal is expected to begin on May 27 and last four weeks. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation funded the project.

"Safety is always our top priority at the airport, and managing vegetation is an important part of that priority," airport manager Katie Servis said. "As trees and other vegetation grow taller, they create safety hazards for pilots and can limit visibility between the aircraft the runway environment and the control tower. The FAA requires that certain areas of trees and shrubs surrounding airports must be cut."

Administration regulations require that airspace protection zones must be maintained to assure safety at every airport. Town officials said the protection zones are crucial elements of aviation and public safety because they ensure unobstructed flight paths and views for pilots, air traffic controllers, and ground crews, enabling safe takeoffs, landings, and ground movements.

Trees to be cleared include a total of approximately seven acres around Runway 24 (along Willow Street in Yarmouth) and Runway 15 (along Independence Drive in Barnstable). Most trees lie within airport-owned property or property in which the airport has existing easements that allow for tree cutting and maintenance of vegetative growth. Officials said they will replant the clearings with native grassland species and/or low growing shrubs.