West Lebanon, New Hampshire, Valley News, November 4, 2026: Tree-cutting felonies dropped in Sunapee neighbor dispute
A retired Navy SEAL commander from Sunapee pleaded guilty to a trespassing violation and paid a $1,000 fine after Sullivan Superior Court dismissed two felony charges over the removal of a tree and a stump along his lakefront property line. A grand jury indicted Michael Hayes, 55, in late May on two felonies: criminal mischief and timber-harvesting trespass, in connection with the incident, which occurred roughly a year earlier. Both felonies, which carry potential penalties of up to seven years each in prison, were dismissed by the court, with the state’s agreement, on the morning of Oct. 23 at his plea and sentencing hearing…
Sacramento residents have new opportunities to help shape the City’s urban forest, from joining a working group focused on implementing the Urban Forest Plan to providing feedback on parking lot greening and volunteering at community tree plantings. The City of Sacramento is advancing several efforts to expand tree shade, improve climate resilience and involve residents in caring for the city’s urban forest. “Sacramento’s urban forest plays an important role in keeping our neighborhoods cooler, providing shade, and making our public spaces more inviting,” said Ariana Hernandez, Sustainability Analyst with the City’s Climate Action & Sustainability team. “Through these efforts, we’re creating more opportunities for residents to help shape the future of our urban forest while finding practical ways to expand tree canopy in areas that need it most.” The City is preparing to launch its Urban Forest Plan Implementation Working Group, which will bring community members and City staff together to advance implementation of the Sacramento Urban Forest Plan…
Two towering oak trees that have stood near Rice Village for approximately 70 years have a new home as part of Rice University’s ambitious Gateway Project, which will transform the west side of campus and strengthen connections to the surrounding community. The trees, each approximately 50 feet tall, have been relocated to the site of the future Gateway Park near the corner of Greenbriar Drive and the planned Amherst roadway extension. The park will be among the first phases of the Gateway Project, a broader initiative announced in November 2025 to create a more pedestrian-friendly connection between Rice’s campus and the heart of Rice Village. Rather than removing the trees and planting replacements, Rice is preserving these mature oaks to serve as natural anchors for the new park. Their established canopies will provide immediate shade, help cool the surrounding area and create a welcoming green space for residents, students and visitors. Additional trees will also be planted as the park takes shape…
Paul Fiddler, 41, died after the tree fell onto his Citroen van on the A59 in Longton, Lancashire, in December 2024 during Storm Darragh. The huge tree was on land belonging to South Ribble Borough Council (SRBC). And it has since been charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over Fiddler’s death, saying they did not ensure he was not exposed to safety risks. An HSE spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the Health & Safety Executive has taken the decision to prosecute South Ribble Borough Council in relation to the death of Paul Fiddler. “Paul was killed when a tree fell on his vehicle as he drove along the A59 Longton Bypass in Hutton on Dec. 7, 2024. “Our decision follows an investigation which was initially conducted jointly with Lancashire Police…
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree that was harvested in North Idaho last month is now on tour as it makes its way to Washington D.C. The 76-foot-tall Engelmann spruce has been encased in the back of a big semi-truck. But the top is made of wooden beams and glass so people can see the colorful lights and ornaments – many of them handmade by Idahoans – covering the green spruce branches. Larry and Christie Skinner, Orofino locals, said they are proud the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is coming from Idaho this year. The whistlestop tour turned the local grocery store parking lot into a hub of activity with people of all ages. “When we get to turn the TV on on Christmas and New Year’s and watch it, it’d just be really proud to know that it came from here,” said Christie Skinner, an Orofino local who came down to see the tree with her husband Larry…
All the members of a committee that helps planting trees in the village have resigned, apparently because of how the village board operates. Laura Marsala, who had been the Mayville Tree Advisory Committee chairperson, sent a letter to the Mayville Village Board announcing her resignation. “It’s with regret that I am announcing, effective today (Oct. 13), that the Mayville Tree Advisory Committee is stepping back until conditions are more conducive to accomplish our goals. We have waited three years for a formal tree board to be written into law, and it’s time to put our energy into projects that can be completed,” she said in a letter that was sent to the village board. In the letter, Marsala noted the members have a lot of experience. “I would like the public to know what we feel is a lost opportunity and the impact this decision has on our community in the way of free services: • Loss of volunteer hours, knowledge, and experience of a certified arborist…
The Clark family of Kane County has donated its nearly 50-foot-tall Norway spruce to Chicago for the city’s holiday display in the hopes it will bring “joy and wonder to millions,” Mandy Clark said in her submission of the tree for consideration. The spruce will be transported to Millennium Park where it will be lit during a ceremony on Nov. 20 and stand as the centerpiece of the city’s holiday celebrations, through Jan. 10. Though it’s tall and majestic today, the spruce started out as a sapling in a pot. The family received it in 2004 after the funeral of her husband’s grandfather, and eventually planted it in the yard in 2005. It has since become a “beautiful reminder” of her late husband, Michael Clark, as well as his grandfather, Mandy Clark said. Over the decades, the tree grew significantly and needed to be relocated, which wasn’t feasible…
News Nation, November 1, 2026: Study shows when invasive pythons in Florida slither up trees
A new study revealed when and how invasive Burmese pythons use trees in Florida — a step that would help manage them in the state. Researchers tracked more than 300 snakes — 188 adults and 158 juvenile pythons — in Big Cypress National Preserve between 2017 and 2024, according to USGS. The study documented pythons’ habitats in more than 4,000 data points. Researchers found that while Burmese pythons live mostly on the ground, they also occasionally climb trees. Less than 3% of all snake sightings involved climbing trees, according to USGS. About 17% of juvenile pythons and 14% of adult pythons were seen climbing trees at least once, which shows that they do sometimes use trees for specific circumstances, according to the study. Researchers found that juvenile pythons used trees more than adults because they’re smaller and lighter and may be better at navigating branches. Researchers also found that when the weight of the python increases, the likelihood of it climbing a tree decreases…
Charlotte homeowners are raising concerns after tree removal crews began clear-cutting wooded areas behind residential properties to increase highway visibility for commercial billboards. The North Carolina Department of Transportation confirmed the clearing projects are legal under state rules. The tree clearing is permitted under a 20-24 law passed after the North Carolina General Assembly overrode a veto by Gov. Roy Cooper. The legislation expanded outdoor advertisement view zones up to 500 feet and permitted companies to remove most vegetation within that range. Additionally, a provision in the 20-26 state budget eliminated fees for certain types of tree removal. Under state rules, billboard companies are not required to notify adjacent property owners before cutting down trees. Charlotte homeowner Elizabeth Alls selected her property near Interstate 85 in part for its dense trees, garden space and surrounding wildlife. She said she had no reason to believe the wooded buffer behind her house would be cleared. “When we moved in, it was a heavily wooded area,” Alls said. “I never thought in a million years, ‘Oh, they’re just going to come clear the woods behind the house for the billboard…’”
Phys.org, November 1, 2026: Why some trees thrive far from home—and what that means for carbon sinks
In a study spanning 192 sites and four continents, researchers have discovered that conifers planted in the Southern Hemisphere grow up to four times faster and are more drought-resistant than those growing in their native ranges. This rapid growth and resilience could make conifers a strong candidate for carbon storage, but there may also be drawbacks to planting trees outside their home turf. University of Mississippi ecologist Stephen Brewer was among more than two dozen researchers across multiple continents who studied the growth rate of pines, spruces, firs, cedars and other conifers in their native and nonnative habitats. The group published its findings in Nature. “That result is surprising because ecological theory predicts that there should be a trade-off between how fast a plant can grow and how tolerant it would be of stressful conditions,” said Brewer, an Ole Miss professor of biology. “This is interesting to us because with the elevated carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere contributing to climate change, there’s a desire or push for afforestation, or planting trees in areas where there weren’t any before, as carbon sinks…
Dealing with a struggling tree is rarely straightforward. Whether it’s diseased, suffering from trunk damage, threatening utility lines, or experiencing extensive canopy dieback, knowing when to seek expert help is key. A balanced approach that preserves healthy trees while protecting people and property is best, says Michael Black, president of Seattle Tree Care. “Tree removal should generally be viewed as the last reasonable management option,” he says. No single defect automatically means a tree should be removed. In fact, many trees successfully compartmentalize decay and continue to thrive for decades. Jennifer Milbrandt, a tree risk assessment-certified arborist for the City of Strongsville, recommends having the tree evaluated by a certified arborist. “They assess the likelihood of failure, identify potential targets, and evaluate the consequences should the tree fall. Better to be safe than sorry!” Ahead, these experts share some of the warning signs—and when you should consider calling a professional for removal…
The Trump administration has budgeted $1.2 million for removing trees at East Potomac Golf Links, according to documents reviewed by The Washington Post, as the president seeks to redevelop the beloved D.C. course. The funding for the tree removal is coming from visitor fees collected at the biggest national parks, such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, the documents show. The National Park Service earlier this month cut down more than 400 trees on the course, which has become a flashpoint in Trump’s efforts to renovate sites across D.C., before U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes issued an order to stop the work. Katie Martin, a spokeswoman for the Interior Department, which oversees the Park Service, said in a statement that the administration was carrying out a long-held plan to address “tree overgrowth at the course” as part of President Donald Trump’s D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative. “The National Park Service determined the funding source for this D.C. Safe and Beautiful project,” Martin said, without responding to other questions about the funding. Park advocates said funding for the tree clearing plays into wider concerns that the administration will divert public money from more urgent priorities to Trump’s beautification efforts…
