The president of Goldman Sachs has roused the ire of local officials on Martha’s Vineyard after he allegedly flouted a town order and chopped down 19 trees that were blocking views at his lavish waterfront vacation home, The Post has learned. John Waldron — the Wall Street giant’s No. 2 executive who is seen as the likely successor to CEO David Solomon — sparked a fracas last spring when the alleged violation was discovered on their sprawling four-acre estate near Katama Bay, the quaint maritime enclave where Steven Spielberg filmed his 1975 blockbuster “Jaws.” The 56-year-old Waldron and his wife, Amanda, bought the vacant Edgartown lot in 2020 for over $11 million. They built a four-bedroom summer home two years later on the Massachusetts island getaway for the East Coast elite; the spread is now valued at more than $30 million. But last spring, local officials discovered that the deep-pocketed investment banker had apparently chopped down 19 cedars and pitch pines — some of them 60 years old and as much as 60 feet high — that were blocking the mansion’s water view, according to filings lodged with the Edgartown conservation commission…
Nashville, Tennessee, WKRN-TV, February 5, 2026: Nashville homeowner says he lost thousands to tree removal company after ice storm
After last week’s ice storm, the damage across Forest Hills and nearby neighborhoods is easy to see: split trees, sagging limbs, yards left exposed. What is harder to spot, state officials say, is the risk that follows close behind. The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office issued a consumer alert this week warning homeowners about tree removal scams targeting storm-damaged areas. Complaints have increased about door-to-door crews asking for cash, offering immediate cleanup, and then failing to deliver any work. For homeowners eager to clear dangerous trees, the pressure to act can be intense. One Nashville homeowner told News 2 he paid more than $6,000 to a company operating under the name Certified Tree Care LLC for tree removal services that were never performed. The homeowner said repeated attempts to reach the company went unanswered…
Live Science, February 3, 2026: ‘Nitrogen fixing’ trees could help tropical forests bounce back, research suggests
An extra helping of nitrogen can double the growth of tropical trees in a recovering forest, vastly boosting the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) they can absorb for a decade, according to a new study. Researchers found that adding a nitrogen fertilizer to the soil in the youngest forests — those that had been pastures less than a year ago — increased their tree biomass by 95% compared with a non-fertilized control group. Ten-year-old forests also bounced back with the nitrogen treatment, showing a 48% increase in growth compared with the control group. “We all rely on tropical forests to stabilize our climate,” study co-author and principal investigator Sarah Batterman, an associate professor at the University of Leeds and ecosystem ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, told Live Science. “They store about half of forest carbon and sequester about 20% of our carbon emissions. But there’s huge uncertainty in whether tropical forests will continue to take up CO2 or will become a source of carbon into the atmosphere in the future. One of the key uncertainties is the role of nutrients in supporting more carbon sequestration and recovery from disturbance…”
Grayling, Michigan, mLive.com, February 5, 2026: A tree that lived up to its name: ‘The Monarch’ ruled over an old growth forest for generations
For generations, this was the biggest and most-hugged tree in the largest stand of old growth pine trees remaining in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. “The Monarch” presided as the crowned sovereign of the 49-acre Old Growth Forest at Hartwick Pines State Park for years. It was 325 years old when it died in 1996. This Eastern white pine was – and continues to be – a destination. Today, the Monarch’s stump remains a regal presence. It stands about 71 feet at marker 6 of the 1.25-mile Old Growth Forest Trail. Footprints in the snow show that visitors still approach for a hug, a photo or a closer look at this huge specimen. It’s been that way for decades. “I have pictures of my mom hugging this tree with my grandparents when she was 10,” said Craig Kasmer, park interpreter, “and pictures of me and my sister hugging it when I was 8. Hundreds of thousands of people have their picture taken hugging the Monarch…”
There has been much global discussion about the best ways to manage Earth’s forests in an era of climate change and more frequent bushfires. Some foresters and forest managers support and recommend large-scale industrial thinning of forests, where a proportion of the trees are removed (thinned) with machines to increase the size of the remaining trees. Thinning is commonly used in timber plantations, as it accelerates the development of timber trees. In its new forest plan, the Victorian government has funded a “healthy forests” program. This will likely entail reducing the number of trees in the forest and increasing the space between trees. This plan could lead to extensive mechanical thinning in the state’s forests. Large-scale mechanical thinning has already been used in native forests in western Victoria. Plans for mechanical thinning of forests raises important questions…
Memphis, Tennessee, WMC-TV, February 4, 2026: Tree trimming & removal scams to watch out for
The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office urges citizens to use caution when selecting a business to provide tree trimming or removal services after recent ice storm. The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office offers tips for citizens in search of tree services: • Verify if the contractor is properly licensed in Tennessee by visiting verify.tn.gov; • Get reference from people you trust and look up the review on the business; • Ask for proof of insurance that covers tree services; • Take your time and get multiple written estimates and research each company; • Governor Lee’s executive orders do not provide contractors or other professionals with the appropriate insurance. Red flags to look out for: • Door-to-door sales; • High-pressure sales tactics; • Demand of full payment upfront; • Insistence on cash-only payment; and • Refusal to set out terms in writing…
For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, American elms were more than just trees. They were defining features of the nation’s streetscapes with their tall, arching branches creating shaded tunnels that lined city streets and small-town avenues. Today, however, these iconic trees are far less common. Dutch elm disease decimated much of the population, and a new threat has emerged: the elm zigzag sawfly. This small, invasive pest is spreading across North America, feeding on elm leaves and adding a new layer of stress to already vulnerable trees. The damage caused by elm zigzag sawfly larvae is distinctive. As they feed, they leave behind the zigzag patterns that give the insect its name. While infestations primarily stress the trees, severe outbreaks can strip leaves, weaken elms and sometimes cause dieback. Scientists are still studying the long-term impacts of this pest. Efforts to restore elm populations have led to the development of disease-resistant varieties designed to withstand Dutch elm disease. These new elms offer hope for the species, but the arrival of the elm zigzag sawfly complicates restoration efforts, affecting not only elms but also alternative species such as the Japanese zelkova…
After months of negotiations and pressure from both elected officials and community members, Dominion Energy and NOVA Parks have settled on a new path forward for managing trees near power lines along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park. Dominion and the regional park authority, which owns and manages the 45-mile-long W&OD Trail, have reached an agreement governing vegetation management activities that, among other provisions, requires the utility to provide advanced notice of any major maintenance work and to plant native species in affected areas when possible. “We sincerely appreciate NOVA Parks’ partnership on this important effort and their dedication to preserving the W&OD Park,” Dominion Energy Senior Vice President of Electric Transmission Joe Woomer said in a press release. “By working together, we are balancing the safety and reliability of the grid with the long-term stewardship of this cherished resource. That’s a win-win for our customers and communities.” NOVA Parks Executive Director Justin Wilson, who assumed the leadership role last October, agreed that the new memorandum of understanding “reflects a shared commitment” by both parties “to protect both the health of our community and the natural resources that define this region…”
Tree and Neighbor Law For Homeowners and Professionals 