Wood Policy & Wood Bank

The Town of Petersham generates tree logs by the removal of dying trees. These trees are typically located along the road side (right of way) and become ‘town property’ when they are removed. This Town Wood Policy is being adopted following deliberations by the Forest & Shade Tree Committee to provide a means of community support and a sense of fairness for the distribution of otherwise surplus property among Town residents.

In the process of generating a Town Wood Policy, the Forest & Shade Tree Committee also identified the value of and potential demand for a Town Wood Bank.

For the purpose of this Policy, Town trees shall be those trees which have been removed:

• In accordance with MGL Chapter 87 or
• In accordance with the Scenic Roads Act or an Order of Conditions or other required authorization of the Conservation Commission or
• By an act of nature/weather

Planned removal of trees shall take place by or under the authority of:

• Town Highway Department; or
• Tree Warden; or
• Professional tree company contracted by the town; or
• Utility or similar public service company (e.g. National Grid)

When town trees identified for removal are taken down the following rules and guidelines will apply:

• If wood is 5” to 15” in diameter (and falls within or adjacent to a single homeowner’s property):
  • Wood will be left along the roadside. The diameter of wood left should be of a size suitable for homeowners to utilize for use on their own property.
  • The canopy of trees (tree tops) will not be left along the roadside, unless the abutting homeowner makes a request that it be left, in which case the homeowner must remove the wood to their property the same day.
  • Note: There is no guarantee that all wood of this size (5”-15”) can or will be left for the use of homeowners. The Town’s primary goals are to minimize roadside debris, to not hinder winter roadside clearance, and to prevent a future fire hazard.
• Abutters shall have first right of refusal of the wood. Abutters will be given notice of tree removal (by hearing postings or such other notice as may be given by the town under the circumstances). The responsibility will fall to the abutters to ‘post’ the wood that they want to claim. An abutter can do this in multiple ways:
  • Stake the wood with a ribbon or sign stating (as simple as with a sharpie marker on the ribbon or another legible way) their last name, that they want the wood, and the date by which they will remove it. (Note that tree canopies will be removed on the day of cutting.)
  • Call the Petersham Highway Department (PHD) to inform the Town that they want the wood.
• Abutters will be given to the date they stated (preferably no longer than one month) to clear the posted wood from the roadside. If more time is needed abutters shall contact the PHD. When the month window has passed, any local resident may clear the wood, unless the PHD has granted a time extension. If an extension has been granted an updated ribbon shall be added to denote the new date. If the PHD perceives the wood is a hindrance, it may remove the wood so that it may be added to the Wood Bank.
  • If trees have multiple abutters (for example on the Town Common), the wood will be transferred to the Wood Bank where the wood will be used for the purposes of the Town’s common good.

In many communities throughout Massachusetts, high heating costs have stressed households to stay warm. A Wood Bank (similar in concept to a Food Bank) has been a successful asset and public service in many New England communities experiencing this problem. Through the efforts of Clarisse Hart (Harvard Forest) and Melissa LaVangie (Petersham Tree Warden) the Petersham Wood Bank was the first to be established in Massachusetts and has been serving the community since November of 2014. The Petersham Community Wood Bank is grateful for the continued help and expertise offered by DCR in keeping our Wood Bank viable.

Volunteer Days
Periodic volunteer work days will be held to split, and stack firewood at the Town Transfer Station. Firewood will be stacked into crates to create voucher portions of ½ cord of wood (+/-). The crates are covered to help limit the exposure to weather, while permitting airflow to help dry the wood. The schedule for volunteer days are posted on the Community Calendar. Wiavers are required for all volunteers (minors and adults).

Note: Businesses and the public may donate wood to the Wood Bank. Volunteer help from the Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, Petersham Center School, Police & Fire, Boys & Girls Scouts, and local area businesses are very welcomed.

Applications for a Petersham Community Wood Bank Voucher will be available to Petersham residents starting on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025. In order to apply for a voucher please stop by the shed at the Transfer Station and fill out a voucher application and drop it into the marked box. The box will be monitored on a weekly basis.

Note: The vouchers will be made available on a first come, first served basis but with priority
given to residents receiving fuel assistance.

A voucher is issued only when the crate of firewood is sufficiently dry enough for use. The moisture content of the wood is monitored by representatives of DCR and the Petersham Forest & Shade Tree Committee. Representatives of the Wood Bank will notify the Town resident by e-mail or phone when their crate of wood is ready. A voucher will then be issued by the Wood Bank and be made available for the Town resident at the Transfer Station shed. Vouchers will be issued for one (1) crate of dry, split & stacked wood stored at the Transfer Station (open every Wednesday from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm). One voucher per household may be applied on a monthly basis if needed and as supplies last.

Wood may be picked up at the Transfer Station (route 122) beginning on Saturday, October 18th, 2025. Simply pick up your issued voucher at the Transfer Station shed and present it to the Transfer Station attendant. Each voucher will have a number that corresponds to a numbered crate. Load up your crate of firewood along with one bag of kindling! Please try to remove your wood within a three week time period after voucher issuance. Please also return to the Transfer Station any empty kindling bags for our reuse next year. For more information please contact Jordan O’Connor at joconnor@JOAarchitects.com.