Community Tree Steward, Michael Otzwirk and Urban Forestry Assistant, Alan Chausse have been busy at work taking care of Ellsworth’s urban forest. They recently completed an inventory at the Community Tree Nursery, culminating in a final report submitted to the Arbor Commission.
The Community Tree Nursery is a joint project supported by Frenchman Bay Conservancy, the Ellsworth Arbor Commission, Green Ellsworth, and the Ellsworth Garden Club. The results will aid in future planning at the nursery. A map produced from the results is now posted at the entrance to the nursery.
Michael and Alan have also been active in the Branch Lake Public Forest, completing the riparian areas mapping in accordance with the Branch Lake Forest Management Plan. Michael and Alan are working along with members of the Ellsworth Green Team to plan further study of these sensitive areas.
On August 11,2026 Alan will be leading a guided hike at Branch Lake Public Forest in Ellsworth, Maine from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. He will lead the group on a 2.5 mile hike of moderate difficulty from the parking lot to the lake, and back. Hikers should bring comfortable shoes and a bottle of water and meet at the parking lot.
An RSVP to treesteward@ellsworthmaine.gov would be appreciated but is not required.
The next big project for Michael and Alan is conducting a street tree inventory, which will enable the City to make informed decisions regarding the future of the urban forest. Michael and Alan are collecting species, location, and conducting inspections for each tree within the right of way, along city streets. Volunteers are encouraged to join Michael and Alan every Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm until Aug. 14, 2026.
Volunteers should dress for the weather, bring water, comfortable shoes for walking, a measuring tape, a smartphone or tablet if available, or if not a pencil and clipboard.
An RSVP to treesteward@ellsworthmaine.gov would be appreciated but is not required.
