Willow tree at Warren Town Beach felled for fear of injury

Tree was dying and decayed, officials worried about liability

By Mike Rego
Posted 1/16/25

Local officials recently made the difficult decision to take down a diseased willow tree at Warren Town Beach, which drew the consternation of some. But plans are already in the works to replace the fallen …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Willow tree at Warren Town Beach felled for fear of injury

Tree was dying and decayed, officials worried about liability

Posted

Local officials recently made the difficult decision to take down a diseased willow tree at Warren Town Beach, which drew the consternation of some. But plans are already in the works to replace the fallen one with at a couple new saplings.

Town Manager Brian Sullivan and Director of Public Works Brian Wheeler, in consultation with tree commission chairman Chuck Staton, chose to fell the sick tree once it was deemed beyond saving and potentially become a spot of bother.

"Brian went out there recently and was able to push a piece of rebar (steel) right through the base," Sullivan said of the tree. "We brought Chuck in and he agreed. It was hazard and could be a huge liability for the town if anything happened."

The toppling of tree was made aware to the larger public when it was referred to by new Warren Tree Warden Matthew Largess at the town council's January 14 meeting , at which he was confirmed for the previously vacant position.

As Wheeler explained, "not only was there a large vertical crack from the base of the tree upwards to about 15 feet, but the center of the trunk was turned into mulch and had very little structure supporting the full size of the tree."

He continued, "We consulted with Chuck Staton and had other arborists examine the tree. We all agreed that the tree needed to come down before it caused serious injury to anyone enjoying the beach."

Wheeler said the town is already in the process of engaging the full commission "to ensure we replant at least two trees, but hopefully three, in this location."

2025 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.