Vandal Attacks Tree in Watertown with Chainsaw

The trunk of a tree on Spruce Street shows the marks of a chainsaw near the base in what appears to be an attempt to kill the street tree.

Watertown Tree Warden Chris Hayward learned about the tree last Friday from a resident who spotted the wood chips next to the red maple.

He has seen some smaller trees cut completely at the trunk and removed, but not to a mature tree. The tree appears to be between 30 and 50 years old, Hayward said. 

The damage appears to be done by someone wanting to slowly kill the tree by girdling it.

"It cuts off the nutrients from getting from the roots to the rest of the tree," Hayward said.

This is the first time he has seen such an attack, but an older cut on the other side of the trunk makes it look like the vandal had tried on this tree before.

The attack comes at a time when Hayward has heard about the need for more trees. Numerous Watertown residents said they wanted more street trees during a workshop for the creation of the Comprehensive Plan held in March.

Each year he plants 130-150 trees around town. 

People are allowed to cut the portion of branches that hang over their property, and even the roots if they encroach on their land, Hayward said, but they must be careful.

"They can't cut it negligently," Hayward said. "If a tree falls because you cut the roots you can be liable. You need to know what you are doing."

Anyone who knows anything about the damaged tree on Spruce Street should call the Tree Warden's office at 617-972-6426.