Update: On Monday, Greenwich Tree Warden Dr. Greg Kramer answered follow-up questions about the removal of a large Maple tree outside the Havemeyer building, home to the Greenwich Board of Education.
Asked whether the BOE was notified in advance of plans for the removal of the tree, Kramer said, “There was no prior notice to the BOE of the tree being removed.”
Asked if there had been a complaint about the hazardous nature of the tree and who evaluated the tree, he replied, “The tree was removed based upon the observations of serious health decline. Arborist certified staff and Emerald Tree Care conducted evaluations of the tree.”
Asked if the tree’s roots might have been damaged by work on the bump-outs and sidewalk, Dr. Kramer said, “There was no damages to the maple tree related to any work conducted in the vicinity.”
On Tuesday, all that remains of the massive tree is a 10 ft circle of mulch.
On Tuesday afternoon, Board of Education chair Karen Hirsh said in an email, “I was both surprised and disappointed by the timing and speed with which this beautiful tree was removed, particularly since the Board of Education was not informed in advance. Similar to the other recent decision – such as the suggestion to place a statue of a former President on the Board of Education lawn, BOE was not included in any discussions nor notified of the decision. If the tree had suddenly been deemed hazardous, that information was never shared with us.”
Further Hirsh said, “While the BOE consistently works to collaborate with other town bodies and departments, we would hope the same courtesy is given in return. As the Havemeyer building is a cornerstone in the Greenwich historic district, we value the importance of preserving it for our community and are saddened by the loss of this tree and the green space it represented.”
After stump from a large Maple tree was ground, only a circle of mulch remained outside the Havemeyer building at 290 Greenwich Ave, by the intersection of Arch St and Havemeyer Place. Aug 26, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
After the stump from a large Maple tree was ground, only a circle of mulch remained outside the Havemeyer building at 290 Greenwich Ave, by the intersection of Arch St and Havemeyer Place. Aug 26, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
After the stump from a large Maple tree was ground, only a circle of mulch remained outside the Havemeyer building at 290 Greenwich Ave, by the intersection of Arch St and Havemeyer Place. Aug 26, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Original story, Aug 22: A massive Maple tree in front of the Havemeyer building on Greenwich Avenue, longtime home to the Board of Education, was cut down on Thursday.
Greenwich Tree Warden Dr. Greg Kramer explained that it was not a requirement to post a notice on the tree to be cut down because the tree was deemed hazardous.
According to the CT statute regarding trees on municipal or public lands, CGS Chp 450 Sec. 23-65 (a) grants the Tree Warden or Deputy Tree Warden authority to remove hazardous trees without the standard public posting requirement.
“The tree had been reviewed and it was deemed to be in serious decline, rotten at major limb attachments and a safety concern,” Kramer said.
Maple being removed by Town of Greenwich on Thursday, Aug 21, 2025 Contributed Photo
Maple being removed by Town of Greenwich on Thursday, Aug 21, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Maple being removed by Town of Greenwich on Thursday, Aug 21, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Maple being removed by Town of Greenwich on Thursday, Aug 21, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Contributed photo shows Maple tree before removal and flags/sticks marking out proposed location of George HW Bush statute.
Rendering of proposed monument location, from site plan proposal for George HW Bush proposal submitted to Greenwich Planning & Zoning.
The tree was just feet from the proposed location of an illuminated statue of George HW Bush. A site plan application has been submitted to Greenwich P&Z, though it has yet to be scheduled for a meeting agenda.
The property was recently in the news when a public hearing was held about a proposed hotel in the historic Havemeyer building.
According to GTC director Kate Dzikiewicz, “(The Maple tree) was deemed hazardous due to rot causing structural instability, and was reviewed by an outside arborist who agreed with this assessment. I’m very unhappy about the situation, but our options are limited when trees are determined to be in unsafe condition, especially in such a busy part of town.”
Dr. Kramer said a replacement tree will be planted.
“An oak species. Likely a willow oak that will match the other oaks being planted on Greenwich Ave,” he said in an email, adding that staff will grind the stump as low as possible.
“However, the new tree will still need to be a little away from the old stump location,” he added.
The topic of mature trees on the lawn of Havemeyer has been an issue before.
In December 2022, residents questioned the timing of work on historic Beech Trees near the Bolling monument and intersection of Arch and Greenwich Ave, given an MI on intersection improvements was scheduled for a vote by the RTM a few days later.
Part of the concern was that people did not know in advance, despite the town not being required to announce trimming or removal of a hazardous tree.
At the time there was $2.8m state funding available for intersection improvements, but in December 2022 the RTM voted against approving that Municipal Improvement. (The motion to reject the MI was: 114 yes to 72 no, with 12 abstentions.)
The intersection work has proceeded nevertheless without state funding.
See also:
Aug 19, 2025
Havemeyer Hotel Proposal Panned by Residents: “You Got it Backwards”
June 13, 2025