WAYLAND – March 25, 2009 – Huge thanks go out to two big-hearted men who donated their time, equipment, and crews to remove two large, dying trees hovering over the play structure here. Eric Wood (Wayland, owner of E.W. Wood excavation and site development) and Dennis Punch (Sudbury, owner of Punch Tree Service) combined efforts Wednesday to remove two hemlock trees that were badly withering.

As little ones and their parents filtered back onto the grounds in the warming afternoon, one would hardly know the trees had been there. Some fresh wood bits from the stump grinding are all that might indicate something happened there a few hours earlier in the cool morning hours.

Thanks also (again) to Cochituate Motors owner Frank Dewey for letting the crews work from his near empty lot next door and greatly ease the task. Dewey has been a great friend to the playground for many years.

The project was done with full approval and support of the town’s Parks and Recreation Dept. who assisted by closing off the playground for the morning hours. Given the financial situation of the state (also the nation), donations like this are invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Two huge trees remain at the back of the playground, both spruces, that are not affected by the current insect issue with hemlocks.

“We thank Eric for offering his expertise, his services and for organizing the whole effort with Dennis,” said Friends of the Hannah Williams Playground organizer Cliff Kolovson. “While we love the iconic trees, we already had one come down a few years ago in a wind storm, so a weak or compromised tree could be dangerous.”

“The playground and structure is in great shape after 8 full years of service (an additional 7-10 years of extended life was the goal in 2000)," reported Kolovson. "Yet it’s going to take some TLC and some new people to look after it and plan for the future."

The playground was reopened in Nov. 2000 after being closed for a year or more. Kolovson and residents Ted Fiust and the late Jim Boggs organized more than 300 volunteers and raised more than $28,000 to completely overhaul the playground and structure for new safety guidelines. It continues to weather beautifully.

“People interested in becoming the prime stewards should immediately contact Kolovson. Donations are still welcomed as the "Friends" group continues to supply materials as well as the on-site portable toilet.

Contributions should be made out to Friends of Hannah Williams Playground and mailed to 26 Garden Path, Wayland. For more information you can call Cliff Kolovson at 508-655-2957 or send email to comments@hannahwilliams.org.
 

One large, bug-bitten hemlock down and another to go on Wednesday morning at Hannah Williams Playground. The tree is lying in the Cochituate Motors parking lot after crews cut it down. Evidence of bug infestation that was slowly killing the tree were evident. Hours later, you’d hardly know the tree was there as the stump was ground down out of site.
 

TIMBER!!! A section of a tree at Hannah Williams playground comes down with a thud and spray of wood chips. Crews from Punch Tree and EW Wood excavation removed two dying trees from the property this week.

Dennis Punch (left, of Sudbury) is owner of Punch Tree Service and Eric Wood (Wayland) is owner of E.W. Wood Excavation and Site Development.