AMHERST — An aging maple tree repeatedly struck by lightning at the summit of Mount Pollux, which was creating a hazardous situation for visitors to the conservation area, was removed by town crews Tuesday.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said the decision was made, for safety reasons, to cut down one of the trees that has helped define the peak of the glacial drumlin. He said it is fortunate no one had been hit by falling branches, or that the mostly hollow trunk had given out.
Most of the tree was cut into small pieces, where members of the Friends of Mount Pollux and others could take home mementos from the tree.
An email from Libby Lass, a program assistant for the Conservation and Development department, informed residents that it was also possible conservation crews would leave “a couple of large chunks of the trunk near the site of the old tree as rustic seating for those that want to sit while taking in the view.”
Thomas Johnson, a member of the Friends group, responded with an email stating that rather than planting a new tree, there should be better care for three maples that have been planted as memorials in recent years, but have not grown much due to the challenges of the glacial soil.
“What I’d like to propose is a joint town-Friends program to begin fertilizing the three maples on a regular sustained basis,” Johnswon wrote. “This would mitigate the soil problem and spur growth so town residents don’t have to wait another decade for real trees and some shade during the summer.”