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The Westport Tree Board would like to thank a local developer who followed the appropriate required process by confirming that a VERY large Japanese Maple was in fact in the Town Right of Way and could not be cut down without proper permitting.  The developer changed its plans and relocated the planned driveway so this beauty could continue living her life in her home. Also present is the necessary protective fencing on the ground around the tree so the soil is not compacted by trucks and equipment.  Soil compaction on top of roots is a major factor in a tree’s decline.

Homeowners, contractors, and developers are reminded that any and all tree work, including but not limited to pruning, removal, or planting, within the Town right-of-way requires an approved permit prior to the start of any work.  When in doubt, call Ben Sykas, our Tree Warden, at 203-341-1120 or email him at treewarden@westportct.gov.

ABOUT THE TREE BOARD

Tree Board members are appointed by the First Selectperson and are responsible for: 

  • Advising and assisting the Tree Warden.
  • Promoting the planting, maintenance, restoration, and survival of desirable trees and shrubs on Town property.

  • Educating the public to recognize the benefits provided by trees and shrubs, some of which are:

    • buffering noise and unsightly views,
    • improving air quality,
    • offering habitats to birds,
    • preventing erosion,
    • absorbing water,
    • mitigating climate by cooling the air and providing shade,
    • offering aesthetic benefits,
    • increasing property values, and
    • generally improving the quality of life within the Town.

 

I GREW UP IN WESTPORT 

The Tree Board has begun highlighting Westport trees making a difference in the lives of residents. You can find those trees listed below.  If you have a special tree you'd like to make note of, please contact us at: treeboardwestportct@gmail.com and tell us your story.

24 Evergreen Ave

 

 

TREE SCAVENGER HUNT:

Can you find all tree ID signs in the following Westport Parks: 

Grace K Salmon

Riverside Park

Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum

Winslow Park

 

TREE OF THE MONTH:

Every month the Tree Board randomly picks a native tree to highlight.  This month's tree is:

December 2025

Sassafras Tree

Sassafras albidum

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The Sassafras tree is native to southern New England down into northern Florida, over to eastern Texas and up through the eastern half of the mid-western states into the great lakes region. It typically grows to a small to medium size tree and spreads through seeds and underground roots.

Most people know the Sassafras tree for its mitten shaped leaves; however, the tree actually produces three leaf shapes. (See photo).  The female tree produces little yellow flowers in the spring and then dark berries consumed by many types of  wildlife. Its leaves feed the caterpillars of different moths and butterflies, including the Spicebush Swallowtail. Many different types of wildlife will also eat Sassafras leaves and twigs. Rabbits have been known to munch on the bark in the winter time.

sassfruit    sassleaveflower

The indigenous population recognized the Sassafras tree for its varied medicinal purposes, and root beer was once made from its oil.  The FDA has now banned its use in many commercial purposes for its carcinogenic effects.  The wood from a sassafras tree is naturally rot resistant so it makes it a good source for fencing and outdoor use.  

With all it has to offer, the Sassafras tree is a good addition to any Westport yard with full sun.

To view the largest Sassafras tree in the United States, go to:

https://www.worldrecordacademy.org/2023/10/worlds-largest-sassafras-tree-world-record-in-owensboro-kentucky-423487

See: https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/sassafras/albidum.htm

 See also: https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/sassafras-native-gem-of-north-america

See all previous Tree of the Month highlights here.

  

NEWS & EVENTS

  • The Tree Board handed out Oak tublings to the first 32 people visiting us at Westport's Painting Pumpkins on the Green annual event, Saturday, Oct. 11th, 10:30-12:30 on the Jesup Green.  Also, children  painted pumpkins to take home and visited with creatures from Earthplace.  Children wore Halloween costumes and enjoyed face painting.
  • The Westport Tree Board was honored to host Calum Madigan, Staples High School Senior, for his internship placement.  Calum learned how to identify 20+ different tree species, conducted research on the Witch Hazel, updated the Tree Board webpage, visited City Bench Mill, used apps to identify various species of birds, plants and trees in local parks, rode along with the Tree Warden, and visited a local wood turner workshop. His favorite tree was the Ginkgo, known for its prehistoric history and fan-shaped leaves. We enjoyed Calum's constant curiosity and openness for learning the different aspects of urban forestry and how it affects life in Westport.

 

Visiting City Bench mill

  • The Tree Board would like to thank everyone who came out for our Arbor Day Sapling give away this past April 25th. The weather was sunny and warm and we were able to pass out lilacs, Virginia Pine, Eastern Red Cedar and River Birch saplings to the public. Happy planting to all who participated.  If provided much sun and water they will grow to provide beauty, shade, and cleaner air for us; as well as providing shelter, food and pollen for wildlife. 
  • The Tree Board would also like to thank the Second grade classrooms from Greens Farms Elementary School and their faculty for hosting an Arbor Day presentation by Tree Warden, Ben Sykas.  The students were engaged and thoughtful in their questions. Ben also planted a White Oak on the grounds in honor of Arbor Day.
  •  In the interest of educating the public on the unique characteristics of our beautiful town trees, the Tree Board is in the process of attaching Tree ID signs to trees in Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum, Winslow Park, Riverside Park and Grace K Salmon Park.  Keep an eye out for these signs as you tour the grounds. 
  • The Tree Board would like to say a warm "Thank you" & "Goodbye" to previous Tree Board Chair, Richard Fincher, who passed away this past October 28, 2024.  His care and commitment to Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum and the natural world of Westport was constant and trans-formative.  More to follow.
  • The Tree Board handed out Red and Scarlet Oak saplings during the Paint the Pumpkins on the Green Oaktober event.  We'd like to thank Earthplace, and the Westport Book Shop for all their help putting on a beautiful annual event. 
  • The Tree Board would like to thank Staples Senior Surya Rao for interning with the Westport Tree Board.  Though the board only had Surya for 2 ½ weeks, Surya made an invaluable contribution to us.  Surya was given little direction or instruction, while being asked to help with several large tasks in an unfamiliar environment.  His polite, curious and kind demeanor belied his intelligence and artistic ability to efficiently and beautifully complete projects asked of him. During his short time, Surya researched local trees, created graphic designs, performed coding tasks, created a tree valuation excel spreadsheet, completed a ride along with the town Tree Warden to evaluate trees in the town right of way, explored Winslow Park and the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum to identify specific trees and evaluate issues impacting their health.

    We were honored to have Surya Rao with us.  Our only regret was that our time with Surya was too short.  We wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

LWAintern

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  • Tree City USA:  Westport is a Tree City, as named by the Arbor Day Foundation in 2020! We have recently received the latest approval for a Tree City USA & Growth Award.  We are currently working on submitting our annual application for renewal. 

 

FINDING THE RIGHT TREE FOR THE RIGHT PLACE

Thinking of planting a new tree?  Factors of height, sun, soil and water are important considerations for the healthy survival of your new planting.  The following websites are great resources when deciding on the right tree for your property, finding a credentialed arborist, or understanding your property's soil conditions.

CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

UCONN HOME & GARDEN EDUCATION CENTER

CONNECTICUT'S NOTABLE TREES

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

TREE CITY USA

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE

TREES ARE GOOD

 

 

Click here to learn about.....

Proper Tree Mulching

How Trees save Orca whales

 

RECOMMENDED READINGS

  • Native Trees for Northeast Landscapes, A Wild Seed Project Guide, by Wild Seed Project, 2021;
  • Essential Native Trees and Shrubs for the Eastern United States, The Guide to Creating a Sustainable Landscape, by Tony Dove & Ginger Woolridge, Bunker Hill Studio Books, 2018;
  • Trees of North America, National Audubon Society, Fieldstone Publishing 2021
  • The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate, by Peter Wohlleben published by Greystone Books May 25 2015
  • Finding the Mother Tree, Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest, by Suzanne Simard, Vintage Books 2021
  • Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1962

 

SAPLINGS CORNER

Fun books for our youngest readers:

  • Up in the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses by Shira Boss & Jamey Christoph 
  • Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Shaefer & Adam Shaefer
  • The Busy Tree by Jennifer Ward & Lisa Falkenstern
  • Trees: A Count and Find Primer by Greg Paprocki
  • The Things That I Love About Trees by Chris Butterworth & Charlotte Voake
  • The Lumberjack's Beard by Duncan Beedie
  • Tree by Britta Teckentrup
  • Peter and the Tree Children by Peter Wohlleben & Cale Atkinson