HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin Review 8.6.2025Yarmouth Conservation Commission
Administrative Review
Applicant lnformation
Name: Michael Dodd Trustee Richard S Dodd 2012 Irrev. Trust
681 South St Needham MA 02492Mailing Address
Phone: 617 872 6021 t\il i ked od d @co m cast. n etEmail
I hereby authorire the indlvldual members ofthe Yarmouth Conrervation Commission and its agent(s) to enter upon the property listed
below for the purpose ofgatherlnS inlormation regarding this Administrative Review torm.
Property/orwork:158 Pleasant Street So. Yarmouth MA 02664
Street Name and Number
Signature:
Detailed Description and Reason for Proposed Work:
lnsurance Company directs that trees overhanging house be pruned or removed to continue
coverage. Three trees in question are on south side of house within 150ft of coastal zone
and we are requesting permission to cut the closest to the house, and prune the other two in
order to maintain homeowner insurance coverage.
ctosest Distance to Resource Area: appfOX 1 00 fegt
Proposed start Date: August - September
Company to do Work:
Name:Mackenzie Tree Service
Address: 125 Main St. Unit 3 Dennisport MA 026639
508 776 7218 Emait :
trees@ mtscapecod . comPhone:
Ad ministrative Approval :
This approval is valid for one year. This Approval does not grant any property rights or any €xclusive privileges; it does not
authorize any iniury to private property or invasion of property.
Yarmouth Conservation Commission . 1146 Route 28, South Yarmouth, MA 02664 .(508) 398-2231 . Ext 1288
rev 3/2025
CONSERVATION
OFFICE
bd irienzo@va rmouth. ma. us
Pruning of the trees in question is approved and must follow the Town of Yarmouth
Vista Pruning & Vegetation Removal Guidelines (attached). Pruning is strongly preferred for the tree closest
to the house as well due to the distance. If the insurance company is insistent on removal, it must be replaced
with a minimum 1.5" caliper tree from the attached list within 15' of the existing tree, or closer to the water.
Approved 8/6/2025
Yarmouth Conservation Commission • 1146 Route 28 • South Yarmouth, MA 02664-4492
Tel. (508)-398-2231 Ext. 1288 • Fax (508)-398-0836 • TTD# (508) 398-2231
Page 1 of 2
CONSERVATION
DEPARTMENT
“Vista Pruning” and “Vegetation Removal” and are two examples of how vegetation can be
removed from a property. The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act 310 CMR 10.0 and the
Town of Yarmouth Wetland By-Law Chapter 143 refers to Vista Pruning as the selective and
judicious thinning of tree branches or understory shrubs to create a "window" to improve the
view of a Resource Area. It is designed to benefit the community as a whole and it is NOT clear
cutting to gain a view. The Commission looks at Vegetation Removal as doing more work than
Vista Pruning. It is important to note that both activities are regulated by the Conservation
Commission. The Commission understands the need to trim vegetation within wetland
jurisdiction but also has a responsibility to follow the State and Town Wetland Regulations. The
Commission and its Administrator will determine the appropriateness of vegetation removal and
Vista Pruning based upon an interpretation of the regulations and on a by case by case basis.
1.No vista pruning will be allowed in a wetland.
2.The tree canopy will not be thinned by more than 30%.
3.Portions of dense understory, no more than 20%, may be removed provided other types
of suitable vegetation replace it.
4.If adverse impacts occur to the adjacent Resource Area(s) as a direct result of the "Vista
Pruning", the Commission will require immediate mitigation in order to correct such
impacts. The activity may be subject to enforcement actions and fines. This provision will
be noted in the "permit" issued to the applicant.
5.Vegetation may be trimmed so that the level be of varying heights to mimic natural
growth.
6.Vines and invasive species may be removed by hand pulling or hand clipping.
7.No tree or branch with a diameter greater than 4 inches DBH or otherwise stated will be
cut down or pruned. Exceptions to tree or limb removal would be with the approval from
the Commission or Administrator.
8.Removal of trees is by flush cutting, not digging
9.Prior to the required visit by the Conservation Administrator, vegetation, for which
removal is requested, should be flagged with tape. Vista corridors should be delineated.
TOWN OF YARMOUTH
VISTA PRUNING & VEGETATION REMOVAL GUIDELINES
Yarmouth Conservation Commission • 1146 Route 28 • South Yarmouth, MA 02664-4492
Tel. (508)-398-2231 Ext. 1288 • Fax (508)-398-0836 • TTD# (508) 398-2231
Page 2 of 2
CONSERVATION
DEPARTMENT
10. All pruning debris will be removed by hand (not heavy equipment) and properly disposed
of off-site. There shall be no debris left onsite.
11. "Vegetation Removal and Vista Pruning", once completed, may be maintained in a
consistent manner over time. However, the Conservation Administrator must be notified
prior to the commencement of the work.
12. Work shall be done by a certified licensed landscape professional with experience
working in sensitive areas, unless otherwise noted. Wetland delineations may be
required.
13. The applicant must demonstrate the proposed work will not generate a net adverse
impact on the wetlands or the Buffer Zone (the Commission may deny the application if
they determine the proposed activity to adversely affect the wetland or Buffer Zone)
14. If any unforeseen problems occur during the permitted work which affects the interests
of the Wetlands Protection Act, Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Town of Yarmouth
Wetland By-Law Chapter 143, the applicant shall notify the Conservation Commission
immediately. The applicant shall then act to correct the problems using the corrective
measures agreed upon.
15. The Commission reserves the right to require additional conditions if deemed necessary to
protect Resource Areas and interests as defined in MGL Chapter 131 Section 40 (310
CMR 10.00) and the Town of Yarmouth Wetland By-Law Chapter 143.
CAPE COD COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PO Box 367 Barnstable, MA 02630 508 375-6690 (www.capecodextension.org) Trees & Shrubs for Coastal Environments: Plants for this section were selected based on their ability to successfully grow in coarse soils and windy environments, and for salt spray tolerance. Plants marked with will tolerate direct coastal exposure. Soil Moisture Sun IND = Indicator status Symbols W = wet SU = sun OBL = Obligate ! = Possible pests M = moist PS = part shade FACW = Facultative wetlands # = stoloniferous D = dry SH= shade FAC = Facultative OC = On Center FACU = Facultative uplands c = caliper Shrubs, low Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D SU PS SH H x W Salt Tol. Opt. size Spacing Arctostaphylos uva-ursi bearberry X X 12” x 4’ Yes 4” pot 12” OC #Comptonia peregrina sweet fern FACU X X X X 2’ x 3’ Yes 1-2 G 30”–36”OC Gaylussacia spp. huckleberry X X X X 1.5’ x 3’ sod 3’ OC Hypericum densiflorum dense St. John's wort FAC X X X X 4’ x 4’ Yes 1 G 3’ OC Kalmia angustifolia sheep laurel X X X X 2’ x 2’ 2 G 3’ OC !Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper X X X 12” x 4’ Yes 1-3 G 3’–5’ OC Prunus maritima beach plum X X X X 1-8’ x 5’Yes 5 G. 5’ OC Rosa carolina pasture rose X X X X 3’ x 3’ 1 G 4’ OC Viburnum acerifolium maple-leaved arrowwood X X X X 6’ x 4’ 2’-3’ 5’-6’ OC
Shrubs, medium Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D SU PS SH H x W Salt Tol. Opt. size Spacing Aronia arbutifolia red chokeberry FACW X X X X 6’ x 5’ 1’-2’ 4 -6’ OC Baccharis halimifolia groundsel tree FACW X X X 6’ x 6’ Yes 1 G 4’ OC Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush OBL X X X 6’ x 6’ 2’-4’ 5’-8’ OC Clethra alnifolia sweet pepperbush, FAC+ X X X X X 6’ x 6’ 1 G 4’ OC Cornus amomum silky dogwood FACW X X X 6’ x 6’ 2’-3’ 4’-6’ OC Hamamelis virginiana witch hazel FAC- X X X X 15’ x 5’ 2’-4’ 5’ OC Ilex glabra inkberry FACW+ X X X 6’ x 6’ Yes 5 G 4’-5’ OC Ilex verticillata winterberry FACW+X X X X X 10’ x10’ Yes 2’-4’ 4’-6’ OC ! Juniperus communis pasture juniper X X 5’ x 8’ Yes 1 G 4’-5’ OC Lindera benzoin spicebush FACW- X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 4’-5’ OC Myrica gale sweet gale OBL X X X 4’ x 4’ 2 G 4’-5’ OC Myrica pensylvanica northern bayberry FAC X X X X 9’ x 9’ Yes 3 G 4’ OC Rhododendron viscosum swamp azalea OBL X X X 5’ x 5’ 3’-4’ 4’-5’ OC # Rhus aromatica fragrant sumac X X X X 6’ x 10’ 2 G 4’ OC # Rhus glabra smooth sumac X X X 10’ x 0’ Yes 2’-4’ 4’ OC Rosa palustris swamp rose OBL X X X X 7’ x ? 1 G 4’ OC Sambucus canadensis common elderberry FACW- X X X X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 4’ OC Vaccinium corymbosum highbush blueberry FACW- X X X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 6’ – 8’OC Viburnum cassinoides Witherod viburnum X X X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 6’ OC Viburnum dentatum arrowwood FACW- X X X X 8’ x 8’ Yes 2 G 6’ OC Viburnum nudum Smooth witherod X X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 6’ OC Viburnum trilobum Am. Cranberry viburnum FACW X X X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 6’ OC Shrubs, tall Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D SU PS SH H x W Salt Tol. Opt. size Spacing Alnus serrulata smooth alder OBL X X X 15’ x15’ 2’-3’ 8’ OC ! Kalmia latifolia mountain laurel FACU X X X X X 10’ x10’ 2 G 6’ OC #Rhus copallina shining sumac X X X 20’ x20’ 2 G 5’ OC
#Rhus typhina staghorn sumac X X 25’ x25’ Yes 2 G 6’ OC Trees, small (understory) Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D Su PS Sh H x W Salt tol. Opt. size Spacing Amelanchier canadensis shadbush FAC X X X X 15’ x 5’ Yes 4’-6’ 8’-12’OC ! Cornus florida flowering dogwood X X X X X 20’ x20’ 1½”-2” c 12’-15’OC Crataegus crus-galli cockspur hawthorn X X X X 20’ x 0’ 1½”-2” c 12’-15’OC ! Ilex opaca American holly X X X 30’ x 5’ 4’-5’ 12’-15’OC !Juniperus virginiana eastern red cedar FACU X X X 35’ x 5’ Yes 4’-6’ 8’-10’ OC Magnolia virginiana sweetbay magnolia FACW+X X X X X 20’ x20’ 3’-4’ 15’-20’OC Ostrya virginiana ironwood FACU- X X X X 25’ x20’ 1½” -2” c 20’ OC Sassafras albidum sassafras FACU- X X X X 25’x25’’ 1½”-2” c 20’ OC Trees, tall (canopy) Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D Su PS Sh H x W Salt tol. Opt. size Spacing Acer rubrum red maple FAC X X X X X 40’ x30’ 2”-3” c 20’ OC Betula nigra river birch FACW X X X X 40’ x35’ 2” c 20’ OC Celtis occidentalis hackberry FACU X X X X 30’ x35’Yes 2” c 20’ OC Chamaecyparis thyoides Atlantic white cedar OBL X X X 50’ x20’ 5’-8’ 20’ OC Fagus grandifolia American beech FACU X X X 60’ x60’ 2”-3” c 30’ OC Fraxinus americana white ash X X X 50’ x40’ 2”-3” c 25’-30’OC Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash FACW X X X 50’ x30’ 2”-3” c 25’-30’OC Liriodendron tulipifera tulip poplar X X X 70’ x50’ 2”-3” c 35’-40’OC Nyssa sylvatica tupelo FACW- X X X X X 50’ x30’ 2”-3” c 15’-20’OC ! Picea glauca white spruce X X X 40’ x20’Yes 5’-6’ 20’-25’OC
Picea mariana black spruce FACW- X X X 40’ x20’ 5’-6’ 20’-25’OC ! Pinus strobus white pine FACU X X X 80’ x40’ 4’-8’ 20’-25’OC ! Quercus alba white oak X X 60’ x40’ 2½”-3”c 20’ OC ! Quercus bicolor swamp white oak FACW+X X X X 60’ x50’ 2½”-3” c 25’ OC ! Quercus coccinea scarlet oak X X 50’ x40’ 2½”-3” c 20’ OC !Quercus prinus chestnut oak X X X 60’ x60’ 2½”-3” c 25’ OC ! Quercus rubra northern red oak FACU- X X X X 60’ x60’ 2½”-3” c 25’ OC !Quercus velutina black oak X X X 60’ x50’Yes 2½”-3” c 25’ OC Salix nigra black willow FACW+X X X X 35’ x20’ 8’-10’ 20’ OC ! Tilia americana American basswood FACU X X 60’ x40’ 2”-3” c 20’ OC Fresh Water Resource Buffer Zone Trees & Shrubs Lakes, Ponds, & BVW Soil Moisture Sun IND = Indicator status SymbolsW = wet SU = sun OBL = Obligate ! = possible pests M = moist PS = part shade FACW = Facultative wetlands # stoloniferous D = dry SH= shade FAC = Facultative OC = On Center FACU = Facultative uplands c – caliper Shrubs, low Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D SU PS SH H x W Salt tol. Opt. size Spacing Arctostaphylos uva-ursi bearberry X X 12” x 4’ Yes 4” pot 12” OC Aronia melanocarpa black chokeberry FAC X X X X 6’ x 6’ Yes 1 -2 G 4’-6’ OC # Comptonia peregrina sweet fern X X X X 3' x 4’ Yes 1 -2 G 30”-36” OC Gaylussacia spp. huckleberry FACU X X X X 1.5’ x 3’ sod 3’ OC
Shrubs, medium Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D SU PS SH H x W Salt tol. Opt. size Spacing Aronia arbutifolia red chokeberry FACW X X X X 6’ x 5’ 1’ -2’ 4’ -6’ OC Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush OBL X X X 6’ x 6’ 2’ -4’ 5’ -8’ OC Cornus amomum silky dogwood FACW X X X 6’ x 6’ 2’ -3’ 4’-6’ OC Hamamelis virginiana witch hazel FAC- X X X X 15’ x15’ 2’ -4’ 5’ OC Ilex verticillata winterberry holly FACW+ X X X X X 10’ x10’ Yes 2’ -4’ 4’ -6’ OC Juniperus communis pasture juniper X X 5’ x 8’ Yes 1 G 4’ -5’ OC Lindera benzoin spicebush FACW- X X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 4’ -5’ OC Rhododendron maximum rose bay rhododendron X X X 15' x 15’ 2’ - 4’ 10’ OC Rhododendron periclymenoides pink azalea, pinxterbloom FAC X X X 6’ x 6’ 1’ -2’ 6’ OC Rhododendron viscosum swamp azalea OBL X X X 6’ x 6’ 3’ -4’ 4’ -5’ OC # Rhus aromatica fragrant sumac X X X 6' x 6’ 2 G 4’ OC # Rhus glabra sweet or smooth sumac X X X 10’ x10’ Yes 2’ -4’ 4’ OC Rosa palustris swamp rose OBL X X X X 7' x ? 1 G 4’ OC Sambucus canadensis common elderberry FACW- X X X X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 4’ OC Vaccinium corymbosum highbush blueberry FACW- X X X X 6’ x 6’ 2 G 6’ -8’ OC Hypericum densiflorum dense St. John's wort X X X 4’ x 4’ 1 G 3’ OC !Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper X X X 12” x 4’ Yes 1 -3 G 3’ -5’ OC Rosa carolina pasture rose X X X X 3’ x 3’ 1 G 4’ OC #Rubus odoratus purple flowering raspberry X X X 5’ x ?' 1 G 3’ -4’ OC Spiraea alba narrow-leaved meadowsweet FAC+ X X X 5' X 3’ 1 G 2’-3’ OC Spiraea latifolia broad-leaved meadowsweet FAC+ X X X 5' X 3’ 1 G 2’ -3’ OC Vaccinium angustifolium late lowbush blueberry X X X X 2-3' X 2’ 1 G 3’ OC Viburnum acerifolium maple-leaved arrowwood X X X X 6’ X 4’ 2’-3’ 6’ OC
Viburnum cassinoides witherod X X X 5’ x 5’ 2 G 6’ OC Viburnum dentatum) arrowwood FAC X X X X 8’ x 8’ Yes 2 G 6’ OC Viburnum nudum smooth witherod X X X 6’ X 6’ 2 G 6’ OC Viburnum trilobum Am. cranberrybush viburnum FACW X X X 8’ X 8’ 2 G 6’ OC Shrubs, tall Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D SU PS SH H x W Salt tol. Opt. size Spacing Alnus serrulata smooth alder OBL X X X 15’ x15’ 2’-3’ 8’ OC Corylus americana American hazelnut or filbert X X X 10’ x 8’ 3’-4’ 8’ OC ! Kalmia latifolia mountain laurel FACU X X X X X 10' x 10’ 2 G 6’ OC # Rhus copallina shining or winged sumac X X X 20’ x 20’ Yes 2 G 5’ OC # Rhus typhina staghorn sumac X X 25’ x 25’ Yes 2 G 6’ OC Salix discolor pussy willow FACW X X X X 15’ x 15’ 5’-6’ 10’ OC Trees, small (understory) Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D SU PS SH H x W Salt tol. Opt. size Spacing Amelanchier arborea downy serviceberry X X X 20’ x 15’ 6’ -8’ 15’ OC Amelanchier canadensis serviceberry, shadbush FAC X X X X 20’ x 12’ Yes 6’ -8’ 12’ OC Amelanchier laevis smooth serviceberry X X X X 25’ x 18’ 6’ – 8’ 15’ OC Carpinus caroliniana American hornbeam X X X 35 x 30’ 3” c 15’ OC Cornus alternifolia alternate-leaf dogwood X X X X 15’ x 20’ 8’ 15’ OC ! Cornus florida flowering dogwood X X X X X 20’ x 20’ 1½” -2” c 12’ -15’ OC Crataegus crus-galli cockspur hawthorn X X X X 20’ x 20’ Ilex opaca American holly X X X 30’ x 25’ 4’ -5’ 12’-15’ OC !Juniperus virginiana eastern red cedar FACU X X X 25’ x 25’ Yes 4’ -6’ 8’-10 OC Ostrya virginiana ironwood FACU- X X X X 25’ x 20’ 1½”– 2” c 20’ OC
Sassafras albidum sassafras FACU- X X X 25’ x 25’ 1½”– 2” c 20’ OC Trees, tall (canopy) Scientific Name Common Name IND W M D Su PS Sh H x W Salt tol. Opt. size Spacing Acer rubrum red maple FAC X X X X 40’ x 30’ 2”-3” c 20’ OC Betula nigra river birch FACW X X X X 40’ x 35’ 2” c 20’ OC Celtis occidentalis hackberry FACU X X X X 30’ x 35’ Yes 2” c 20’ OC Chamaecyparis thyoides Atlantic white cedar OBL X X X X 50’ x 20’ 5’ -8’ 20’ OC Fagus grandifolia American beech X X X 60’ x 60’ 2”-3” c 30’ OC Fraxinus americana white ash X X X 50’ x 40’ 2”-3” c 25’-30’ OC Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash FACW X X X X 50’ x 30’ 2”-3” c 25’-30’ OC Liriodendron tulipifera tulip tree X X X 70’ x 50’ 2”-3” c 35’-40’ OC Nyssa sylvatica black gum, sourgum FACW- X X X X X 50’ x 30’ 2’-3’ c 15’-20’ OC !Picea glauca white spruce X X X 40’ x 20’ Yes 5’-6’ 20’-25’ OC !Picea mariana black spruce FACW- X X X 40’ x 20’ 5’-6’ 20’-25’ OC ! Pinus strobus white pine X X X 80’ x 40’ 4’-8’ 20-25’ OC !Platanus occidentalis American sycamore X X X X 75’ x 75’ 3” c 25’-30’ OC !Quercus alba white oak X X 60’ x 40’ 2½” – 3” c 20’ )C !Quercus bicolor swamp white oak FACW+X X X 60’ x 50’ 2½”- 3” c 25’ OC !Quercus coccinea scarlet oak X X 50’ x 40’ 2½”- 3” c 20’ OC !Quercus rubra northern red oak FACU- X X X X 60’ x 60’ 2½”- 3” c 25’ OC !Quercus stellata post oak X X 60’ x60’ 2½”- 3” c 25’ OC !Quercus velutina black oak X X X 60’ x 60’ Yes 2½”-3”c 25’ OC Salix nigra black willow FACW+X X X X 35’ x 20’ 8’-10’ 20’ OC Tilia americana American basswood FACU X X 60’ x 40’ 2”-3” c 20’ OC