Local news
The tree is estimated to be 68 years old.
A photo taken by a passerby at the moment a large willow tree fell in the public park.
A giant willow tree that had overlooked the lake in Boston Public Park for more than 60 years collapsed Wednesday.
The tree, estimated to be 68 years old, fell after exceeding the typical lifespan of a white willow, which ranges from 30 to 50 years. As they age, these fast-growing, “weak-tree” trees become increasingly vulnerable to structural failure, Friends of the State Park President Lisa Meyer said in a statement.
“We love these trees, too,” Mayer said. “Willows are a special and beloved part of the public park landscape, and we are always sad when we lose one.”
She added that no injuries were reported.
Routine inspections and maintenance conducted by Friends of the State Park had previously determined the tree to be “structurally sound throughout this process,” Meyer said.
According to Friends of the Public Park websiteWillow trees were first planted in the park in the early 1900s.
Although many of the park’s willows were planted in the same era and are aging on a similar schedule, Myers stressed that doesn’t mean all the remaining trees are in decline or will need to be removed.
The latest collapse follows the removal in January of another willow tree that was suffering from rot and disease, posing a public safety risk due to internal decay. According to the Friends of the Public Park, tree removals occur every winter, and replanting efforts usually take place in the spring.
Friends of the State Park did not clarify whether the willow tree that fell Wednesday had been tested for diseases.
“Wednesday’s fallen willows are a reminder of the importance of proactive tree care,” Mayer said.
The Friends of the Public Garden Society maintains trees through regular pruning, disease management, and specialized care.
“Trees are living organisms, and while no one can eliminate all risks, we can give them the care and monitoring they need to live as long and as safely as possible,” Mayer said. “Tree care is about managing risks, not eliminating them.”
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