Close up of fractured limb over Day Street.

Dewey Granby Oak Update

As you know, the Granby Oak suffered severe damage in Storm Alfred, the October snowstorm that devastated so many of Granby’s trees. Thanks to Granby native and professional arborist Brian Watkins and his team at The Arborworks, Inc., the Oak was quickly stabilized after the storm. Unfortunately however, there is additional work that has to be done before this magnificent tree can be left to heal.

Coincidentally, even before the October storm, the tree limb that hangs low over Day Street was under attack. In recent months, both the Town staff and the Land Trust board had become aware that the volume of truck traffic on Day Street, and the size of those trucks, was growing. It turned out that, as trucks were increasingly guided by GPS, the GPS software was routing them onto Day Street as the shortest route to a variety of destinations. The GLT appealed to the Town for help routing these trucks elsewhere. The Town responded with increased signage warning trucks of the low clearance, including opportunities for trucks to turn off Day Street before getting to the tree. However, at least three tall trucks have hit the limb recently. The damage was such that the limb could no longer be trusted to support its weight and cables were installed to support it. Then, just before the storm, the Oak sustained a major impact from a south-bound truck that actually fractured the limb where it connects to the trunk. On top of that came all of the stress from Storm Alfred’s snow load.

Regrettably, these last two events left the low limb over Day Street so weakened that it presents a serious safety risk to motorists and pedestrians on Day Street and to visitors to the Oak. The Arborworks brought in a leading national tree expert, who quickly confirmed that the damaged limb must be removed. The Town independently hired another leading arborist to determine if there was any practical way that this limb could be saved. Unfortunately, all of the experts who examined the tree agree that the damaged limb presents a clear risk to motorists and pedestrians – and could even damage the base of the tree more seriously if it split itself - and must be removed immediately. The appropriate Town officials have been involved throughout these deliberations and, faced with the unanimous opinion of all the experts who examined the tree, have directed that the limb be removed in the interest of public safety. We at the Granby Land Trust have worked closely with the Town in this process and fully support the Town’s decision. As difficult as this is for the Land Trust, we agree that public safety must come first.

Therefore, the Granby Land Trust and the Town of Granby has asked that The Arborworks complete this work. If there is any good news, it is this: While the damage incurred by the storm and the damage to this limb placed significant stress on the tree, the experts are hopeful and cautiously optimistic that the tree will recover and eventually generate new growth.

The Land Trust thanks Brian Watkins and The Arborworks team for all their dedicated work for so many years in preserving this important piece of Granby history, and asks for the support of the community in preserving this beautiful tree and the safety of all who pass by it.