The unspeakable tragedy at Camp Chickami on Aug. 18 has prompted discussions and questions about tree inspections and tree safety around the Commonwealth.
Local tree experts and the Wayland Conservation Committee offer guidelines for inspecting the safety of trees in residential properties so an incident like the one at the West Suburban YMCA camp, where a tree branch fell and killed a camper, doesn’t happen again.
Wayland’s Chapter 193 Stormwater and Land Disturbance regulation was updated on December 17, 2025. It states that projects “500 square feet of impervious surfaces (driveways, stone patios, decking, rooftops, etc.) or disturbing more than 5,000 square feet of land (including tree removal) must apply for a Chapter 193 permit.”
Professional arborist Dave Eggers of Darwin Tree Care remembers showing up late to a community forum to discuss what the new play area would look like at Hannah Williams playground in 2011. When someone suggested removing all the trees, Eggers disagreed. Luckily, the trees were inspected and spared and new trees were planted as well.
“Trees provide not only shade but also a breeze,” said Eggers. “Upon stopping by and unofficially taking a look at the trees in the playground yesterday, 14 years later, I estimate that there are only two trees there that need work.”
In the past six weeks, the Wayland Post police log has included over 10 separate incidents of tree branches or trees falling on wires or blocking the roads. Eggers says that trees are under attack from lack of rain, strong winds, and insect damage — common causes for tree breakage and tree decay.
Eggers says it’s important to find a trustworthy tree service and not one that simply advises removing trees. He says that there are a lot of bad tree services being performed and that topping trees is not the correct way to prune them. Some customers pay thousands of dollars to have this service performed and the procedure simply sends the tree into decline.
Eggers recommends following these steps for when scheduling upcoming tree work:
• Have several tree companies evaluate your trees before having any removed.
• Consider having weight removed from the outer parts of the trees to keep the tree healthy. Trees like white pines that are plentiful in Wayland should not be trimmed from the top.
• Trees work together. Removing a large number of trees may make other trees vulnerable and potentially disrupt the landscape of your yard.
• Check to see if a permit is needed to have the work done.
• Trees should not be overpruned as it leaves them vulnerable to the sun.
• Keep an eye on the trees on your property and have them examined by an expert every five years.
Eggers, who has never been hired to inspect the trees at a camp, says there are also some things to look for to see if a tree is healthy. He suggests looking for rot in the base of the tree, or looking for trees leaning with massive weight. He said assessing trees in the woods would be difficult to figure out which trees are at risk and which are not. Even some trees that appear healthy can reveal disease inside once there is a visible crack.
Ensuring the safety of trees has been his life’s work, and after more than 30 years in the business, he is reflecting on the next chapter of his life.
“Once I’m finished with the company, I plan on putting together a talk and eventually a very long article or even a book on trees,” said Eggers. “My mission for the rest of my life is to try to educate the public.”
