A joint project between COSS,DPW,Town Managers Office and Weston Nursery took cuttings from the tree last Feb. These cutting resulted in about 20 good grafts that will be returned to the town next year. Total Cost of the project $0 . No matter what happen to the tree on the common it will live on for hopefully another 120+ years in many places in town including the common.

It would be just awful if they had to cut it down. Isn't possible to try and save it? This tree always seemed like it respresented lthe heart of the town, it gives the area charactor and importance. The common is nice, but not as attractive as other towns, like Westford and if this tree is gone it would make it very dismal.

My boys love that tree and spend time looking at it every week we go to the farmers' market. I hope this beautiful tree can live on if possible. Thanks to COSS for all their hard work on maintaining the tree!

I remember when it was still ok to hang from it's branches and just thoroughly enjoy the tree... It is sad, but if it's natural lifespan is being reached such that it is (obviously) a danger, then that needs to be considered. I think if it needs to be taken down there should be some sort of ceremony surrounding it...

It is too bad that cuttings weren't done 15 years ago or so when first signs of trouble began to appear. We would have had mature trees already there. It is devastating to see it go,,,I hope it is not taken down any earlier than necessary.

Take it down now. Cut it up and sell it off for firewood. Donate the proceeds to the 4th of July Parade Committee.

Looks like it has lived its lifespan. Sad to see any tree go. As was noted, other towns have much more attractive commons. Is there a plan to improve/redesign ours?
The improvements where RT4 and Westford Rd meet look great. Can they be
expanded?

I have lived in this town for forty years, give or take a few. I have enjoyed laying under it as a child and my children have also. If the tree is to be taken down I hope care is done to be sure the wood can be used for more than mulch and firewood. here are just a few suggestions.
Can some of the wood be preserved and used for Eagle Scout project in town?
Can disks be cut of the tree for wood burning art projects by some of the artists at the Center for the Arts, or even sell disks cut from the tree for people to purchase?
Maybe branches could be made into walking sticks? I would buy one money to go back to the COSS.
some of the timber be used for projects in town on historic buildings IE: the Toll House, The little red school house, the Garrison house.
Use some of the wood to create signage at Open Spaces.
There are many uses for this wood in ways that the tree will live on in more than just grafts. It will be sad to see it go and I hope we will all know the date and time it comes down as I would like to not wake up and it just be gone.
BOS Please be respectful as to the towns feelings, it is more than just a tree to be clearcut it is a symbol of Chelmsford.

It is we that are a danger to the tree, the tree isn't bothering anyone. The tree was here first. It should decide its own fate, not meddling humans!

Take it down before it falls on someone. It looks as if it's been dying for years and it is dangerous to sit under. Plant another tree in its place.

As I understand it, beech trees are very long-lived (measured in hundreds of years) and extremely slow growing. Even if we were able to plant descendants of this tree there or elsewhere in town, it is not likely we or even the next generation would see it reach maturity. Please save this iconic tree if at all possible!

Only the elderly experience the sometime drastic changes years can bring.Can you do a revaluation in the Spring of the tree and if the tree's condition has deteriated to the point of no return then consider its removal. Is there possibility that its root system is stable ? Is the tree unstable due to dead branches on one side? Is there anyway to save this elderly landmark?.........".out with the old and in with the new"..... I think not.

We had the "sister" to this tree in our front yard; this summer we had it taken down, as it was a hazard to our house, to our children, and to visitors. Last year we brought in the same expert arborist hired by the town to try to save the tree on the common. He told us our tree had the same disease -- it's called Beech Bark disease, and there is a very high mortality rate, especially with the larger trees. I believe the town has already done everything possible to save the tree. It is time to say good bye, and plant the next generation of historic trees.

Andrew, I would gladly support any or all of your ideas....the idea of recycling the wood for projects is wonderful......maybe we could get in touch with the fellow who carved (with a power saw) the figure of the train signalman at the bike path entrance. Maybe he could produce some wonderful creations to place around town in remembrance of the tree.

Take it down. It shouldve been taken down years ago. We shouldnt risk the lives of everyone who goes near the tree. Also, when my daughter was in prescool at the center of town, only a tiny area was roped off. If a large branch were to fall it would be outside the roped off area.
I agree with Andrew. We would love to purchase a small section of tree to benefit the town. The prices will need to be reasonable forthe average townsperson.

While it's never really a good thing to loose an icon....I agree with Andrew. If it needs to come down, use the wood for fundraising and momentos. I would LOVE to have one of it's "children" for my yard....

What about making some benches out of it for the common? Andrew has some wonderful ideas as well! That tree has provided many hours of shade for many people over it's lifetime!

If they need a place to store some wood I am sure we can find space at Sunny Meadow Farm.

The tree was planted to enhance the beauty of the common and for shade. It now serves neither purpose. The orange fence is unattractive and nobody can get near it for fear of falling branches. It's time to say good by to it and plant one of the new saplings in the spring.

Brad Emerson
My grandparents, Ralph & Mabel Emerson, were in the graduating class that donated the tree as their class gift to the town. They both served the town well, as has the tree, but like them, its time has come. Let it go.
(P.S. My grandparents lived across the street at #1 Academy, and whenever "Nana Emerson" saw kids climbing on the tree, she would chase them away!)

Andrew G's ideas about using the wood from the tree are great! Now who will take charge of the wood and put forth Andrew's ideas! The purple beech tree was more than just a tree, it was the town's tree, it grew along with the history of the town of Chelmsford.