Weston Conservation Commission Adopts Invasive Plant Removal Permit on Trial Basis

WESTON — January 17, 2023 — Weston Conservation Commission adopted an invasive plant removal permit and heard early findings from a public tree management plan covering more than 15,000 catalogued trees. The commission voted unanimously at its January 17 meeting to adopt both the permit form and accompanying staff guidelines developed by conservation staff member Joshua Baker, with a commitment to a formal review in approximately one year. The permit requires licensed applicators for any herbicide use and mandates a mitigation plan whenever invasive species are removed within wetland jurisdiction. Chris Pfeiffer, director of urban forestry consulting services at Planet Geo, presented findings showing that 50 percent of Weston's public trees are in only fair condition and that white pine and red oak populations both exceed recommended diversity thresholds; he said 30 percent of public trees are susceptible to Asian longhorn beetle and five percent to emerald ash borer. The commission also voted unanimously to send a letter of support to the Planning Board endorsing a trail easement across the undeveloped Zero Hemlock Road parcel, connecting Hemlock Road to the Sears conservation land trail network.