Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via Commonwealth Connect. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further. This has been received as Service Request #2257.

Abutting property owner does not want a new tree installed. Tree well will be closed.

This issue was recategorized from Tree Planting Request to Sidewalk Defect.

Public Works - DL (Forestry) assigned this issue to Public Works - DA (Inspections)

Close existing tree well.

I'm puzzled. We've all received notices that we cannot cut down a tree on our own property without investigation and permission by the city, in the interest of supporting a collapsing tree canopy. Why on earth would a private owner have the power to convince you not to replace a publicly owned tree, on public property, that serves the neighbors who want it replaced? And against the city ordinance that requires replacement of trees removed from public property! This makes no sense. I hope to get an answer here. If not I'll ask the City Council for an explanation. (One wonders who the abutting owner is with so much more power than his/her neighbors or the citizens of the city whose elected Council has directed support of the canopy and budgeted for it in so many rulings.)

Mary- excellent points! I'd be curious to hear what you learn. I've had several requests to fill existing wells and been told the same thing that the property owner didn't want the tree to be replaced.

East_Cambridge, I'll be sure to report back. It may be a week or so though, as I leave tomorrow morning for 9 days' travel with limited phone access. What you say has me even more concerned. Resident A wants what the law requires, s/he is denied. Anonymous Resident B doesn't: his/her wish is honored: repeatedly. Unless there's a convincing explanation the word for this is corruption. And the issue is critical enough that city has just budgeted a large amount for replacing/adding trees next year (in addition to the replacement rule already on the books).

this issue is now resolved.