Save the Centennial Scottish Pine from being destroyed!

UPDATE 08/09/2024:
The effort to save the 100-y.o. Historical Scottish Pine at 821 Mass Ave is continuing!

The latest efforts were concentrated on getting the tree's health assessed and researching the options to address the ARB's questions and concerns stated at the last ARB meeting. This information was included into an Open Letter to ARB that was published by YourArlington (thank you, YourArlington !!):

https://www.yourarlington.com/component/easyblog/entry/8-planning/3360-attwood-080924.html

Please see all the details in the post - but a few highlights are:
-- the tree was assessed by a certified arborist from the Arbor Care Tree Services as healthy
-- there are viable, legal and preferable options to shift the building closer to CVS to preserve the Pine tree

What you can do to help protect the tree

-- Sign this petition if you have not yet - and share with your friends and neighbors
-- Write to ARB and urge them to require the developer to modify their plan and preserve the tree. Emails of all ARB members:
rzsembery@town.arlington.ma.us
srevilak@town.arlington.ma.us
KLau@town.arlington.ma.us
SKorman-Houston@town.arlington.ma.us
EBenson@town.arlington.ma.us
cricker@town.arlington.ma.us

-- Attend the next ARB meeting that will have this plan on the agenda, 09/23/2024, in person - and raise your concerns during the public comment period

UPDATE 07/02/2024:
At the ARB meeting on 07/01/2024, ARB let all those who came in person provide public comments. A few people spoke for the tree. Susan Stamps from the Arlington Tree Committee spoke in defense of the tree too - thank you Susan Stamps !

There is no decision made yet - the ARB members largely spoke against keeping the tree, citing reasons such as potential poor health of the tree, casting shadows and preference to keep the building closer to the front/Mass Ave.

The ARB requested a further inspection by the Arlington Tree Warden and , based on his assessment, further discussions will be held at the next meeting, Sept 24. (there are many other action items ARB asked the architect and developer to do)
I will be waiting for the assessment anxiously - and hope it will be favorable to the tree. I did not notice signs of bad health - without getting too close , as it is on a private property.

YourArlington reporter was at the meeting too - so I hope we will see an update published soon, here is the original post:
https://www.yourarlington.com/.../3351-pine-062924.html

Lets keep the petition go - as it clearly made a big difference and showed ARB that the Arlington Community treasures the tree and really wants to keep it as a historical marvel it is.
Please keep sharing with your friends and neighbors! And thank you so much for all your support!!

Original Petition:
On July 1st, 2024, the Arlington Redevelopment Board will be considering a proposal to redevelop the parcel: 821 Mass Ave - the Atwood House.

While the addition of much needed commercial space to Arlington is welcome - the plan also includes demolishing of a remarkable , healthy, Scotch Pine tree - of ~22’’ diameter - which calculates to about 80-100 years old depending on which growth factor you use (3.5 - 5).

This is a very healthy, magnificent tree that is older than probably most people living in Arlington! There are very few trees like this left in Arlington and MA in general - and they should be treasured, admired and protected at all costs. Dollar amounts alone cannot adequately represent the value this tree provides to our environment and the whole Arlington Community!

The tree does not have to be killed - there are many ways to architect and design the new project that would preserve the tree, as was evident from an earlier plan submitted to ARB in 2020 - in which this tree was preserved and the building was shifted slightly closer to CVS. There are many other ways to incorporate the tree into the design - like creating a courtyard where the tree would be the crown jewel and the attraction magnet , as well as many other possibilities.

The Mass Ave is already a heat island area - with many mature trees gone due to development or age. With temperatures climbing up and up every year - our best line of defense is preservation of trees that provide priceless benefits - cooling, water absorption, clean air and many more!