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Mr. McKay opened the previously-tabled 6:12 p.m. hearing (Edward M. Coffey, Jr. & Mary A. <br /> Coffey, Trustees, 31 Amy Brown Road (AOOC). Proposed Amendment of Order of <br /> Conditions 43-3004 to allow for replacement of 6 diseased pine trees.)Maria Hickey, certified <br /> plant expert in the state of MA of Maria Hickey Landscape, represented the homeowners. This <br /> filing initially came forward as an RDA at the 6/27/2019 hearing, and the Agent recommended an <br /> Amended OOC so the tree replacement can be conditioned. She stated pitch pines live only 40- <br /> 60 years old, and in their old age can secrete sap that attracts turpentine beetles. Once the beetle <br /> attacks the already-stressed trees (age, wind, drought), it sends a pheromone signal for other <br /> beetles to infest the area. The trees to be removed show signs of running sap which the tree does <br /> to eject the beetles. If this was caught earlier, it would have been part of the original planting plan <br /> (vista pruning, invasive species management, mitigation with understory plants). Now that the <br /> infestation is present in these trees, she recommends removal to prevent it from spreading. Mr. <br /> Sweet brought up the pitch pines on Amy Brown Road had been improperly pruned along the <br /> road side, and are now heavily compromised. He was concerned about the spread of the beetle, <br /> and if the infestation is related to this work. Maria stated she will plant different trees that are not <br /> susceptible to these diseases, such as tupelo, red maple and willows, which can handle <br /> submerged roots. She prefers to do the work at once to minimize disturbance to the areas, and <br /> would add shrubs if needed. <br /> The Agent' recommends a few of the replacement trees to be located towards the center of the <br /> coastal bank in order to enhance vegetative strata. There were two of the six pitch pines near the <br /> bottom of the bank that have not yet been infested, and he recommended Davey Tree to review <br /> these trees to see if they can be saved. The Agent had two further comments: Fill has <br /> accumulated near the bottom of the bank, and the sediment roll must be enhanced to prevent <br /> further movement into the salt marsh. Also, there is an area on the right of the house that needs <br /> to be stabilized either with a low profile retaining wall or temporary erosion control as sand is <br /> migrating down the bank. <br /> Maria wanted to do the work within the month to get the trees rooted. She will remove the existing <br /> tree roots with a manual dig, if possible, and if not they will grind them. <br /> The Agent stated the mitigation is growing in beautifully, and reiterates the swath of view at this <br /> property has occurred to restore understory, and that only one path can be used through the <br /> mitigation, and all shrubs must be maintained no shorter than 5 feet. He also recommends a <br /> three-year monitoring and maintenance agreement for the new tree plantings to make sure they <br /> survive and thrive. <br /> Mr. Bregman inquired what occurs with the infested trees, and Maria replied the best option is to <br /> burn them, as other methods release sap and attract beetles. <br /> Mr. Cook inquired if the replacement trees can handle the salt spray, and Maria replied the tupelo <br /> or white oak are better closer to the bottom of the bank. He questioned red maples and willows <br /> in this location, and if cedar would be a viable option. Maria replied she obtains the healthiest <br /> looking trees from the nursery, and depending on the species it will dictate placement and time- <br /> of-year planting. She did not recommend black oak due to gall wasp disease present in the area. <br /> Resource Areas: Flood Zone, Salt Marsh, Coastal Bank, Bordered Vegetated Wetland <br /> No comment from the public. <br /> 4 <br />