You can add to the list of trees being choked by tree grates: 353 Mass. Ave. (reported by me, no action taken, so I partially corrected it myself), 282 and 290 Mass. Ave. (two trees in front of Random Hall).

Thanks for commenting Robert. This is really a pervasive issue around the city isn't it? It's really important that we care for our mature trees!

Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via Commonwealth Connect. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further.

Public Works - DL (Forestry) assigned this issue to Public Works - BMc (Streets & Sewers)

Can we have the Misc. Sidewalk contractor resolve this issue at the school?

Um...yes...!

Thank you for reporting your concerns about the sidewalk condition. As you can imagine, the City has more need for infrastructure improvements than available resources, but we've inspected this location and added it to our miscellaneous sidewalk repairs list. These locations are done on a rolling basis, with some prioritized over others, so the repair at this specific location may not occur for several months or even years.

Please feel free to contact Dan Riviello, Community Relations Manager, at driviello@cambridgema.gov if you have questions.

Dan, First how about tightening up the resources we already have. That tree is likely to die and it is the Public Works/Forestry departments fault for not removing these grates as trees grow and mature. How much would that cost? I am sure it would be much less than removing the grate, removing the dead tree, replacing it with a new tree, then waiting for it to grow to survive and reach maturity... If you need a bigger budget tell City Council you need more resources to stay on top of these predictable and very important repairs? Please spare us the excuses.

I believe Public Works added the above comment in error as I have spoken to their staff and they informed me that they believe these crates will be removed and replaced with flexipave (which is on order) in September/October.

Thanks Dan. My comment still stands on the DPW being pro-active on these trees before they are severely compromised. My understanding is flexipave is for patching where tree roots have lifted the sidewalk. If this grate had been pulled up in a timely fashion and the opening for the tree enlarged then replaced we wouldn't be having this discussion and the tree would continue to grow. Replacing that grate with a non or less porous material chokes the tree in another way and merely delays the inevitable.

Flexipave has been used extensively in Central Square to replace where steel grates previously were located. It's not just for locations where tree roots have lifted the sidewalk. It works well for pedestrians to reduce trip hazards and it trees are not longer being choked by the steel. I still have some misgivings about just how porous flexipave is, and I hope it can be applied in such a way that rainwater retention can be maximized.

How about taking a battery operated rotary cutting tool and removing the inner most ring of the grate(preferably before it grows into the tree). Then smoothing it out with the same tool. That would give the tree another 6" or so. Is that too difficult? I'm just sayin'...

The tree grate is currently slated to be removed in late August or early September. Once the grate is removed flexi-pave will be placed around the area to provide a pervious surface and also improved air flow around the roots of the tree.

We are currently waiting on a back order of flexipave and anticipate it's arrival by early September. Loam will be placed in the tree pit to prevent trip hazards.

Public Works - BMc (Streets & Sewers) assigned this issue to Public Works – YS (Streets & Sewers)

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