by JC Ferguson and Bill Calderwood ·
Friday, February 6, 2026
We want to let the community know the commanding American elm to the south of the town library must be removed. Investigation by several certified arborists found the tree to be suffering from decay in the canopy; decay and degradation of the root flare; and presence of fungal fruiting bodies. Astute observers will also notice a large limb broken and hanging across the high canopy and cables, which were added at one point to keep the canopy stable. We have consulted with the Bromfield trustees and the library trustees to obtain approvals to remove this significant elm tree.
A portion of the tree warden’s budget, along with supplemental funds from the Harvard Tree Gift Fund, have financed the care for this tree for many years. Fungicide treatments are performed in June on a rotating basis and work well to prevent premature death by Dutch Elm Disease. Other care over the years included aged woodchip mulch, fertilizer, lime, and pruning. While this has prolonged the life of many of our elm trees, unfortunately it was not enough to save the elm next to Old Bromfield.
Our plan is to remove the tree, grind the stump, loam and seed the area, then replace it with a disease-resistant elm tree variety.
JC Ferguson, Harvard tree warden
Bill Calderwood, Harvard Elm Commission