Statewide Tree Damage
Look up and watch out for hazardous trees while visiting the woods in our state’s forests, parks and wildlife management areas.
Information about ongoing hazard tree mitigation projects.
Several years of severe storms and drought resulting from our changing climate and major insect infestations have left many damaged or dead trees in forests and residential areas. Damaged, dead, and diseased trees can fall without warning, potentially causing injury or property damage. As you hike the trails or visit picnic areas and campgrounds, be extra cautious:
- Look up and be aware of your surroundings.
- Be particularly watchful when it is windy or when branches are covered with snow.
- Avoid parking, picnicking, camping, hiking, and hunting in areas where dead trees or dead limbs are more likely to fall.
- Walk around, not over, downed limbs and trees.
While the chances of being struck by a falling tree or branch are low, being vigilant while in the woods can reduce the odds even more.
What Happened?
- Storms in spring 2018, including nor’easters in March and tornadoes in some parts of the state in May, have left their share of broken limbs and dead and downed trees.
- The invasive, exotic emerald ash borer was discovered in Connecticut in 2012 and has been spreading across the state. This insect is inevitably fatal to ash trees. Although ash trees are not a large component of Connecticut’s forests, they are somewhat common along roadways and in residential areas.
- A spongy moth outbreak began in 2015 in eastern and central Connecticut. It persisted through 2017, enabled by serious drought in 2015 and 2016. The drought by itself was enough to kill trees. Coupled with the spongy moth infestation, even more trees died, especially the large oak trees that are so valued in our forests.
Widespread oak mortality, particularly in eastern Connecticut, began in summer 2017 and continued through 2018. By summer 2018, the leaves on many oak trees began to turn brown. This was caused by another insect, the two-lined chestnut borer, which attacks and kills vulnerable oak trees stressed by previous defoliations. This loss of oak trees continued into 2019.
The Good News
Despite the loss of so many trees, our forests are still healthy. A forest is more than just trees. It includes the animals, other plants, soils, landscape, and the many processes that stitch these individual items together. One way to assess the health of a forest is to observe how it recovers from disturbance. New trees and shrubs will grow in the openings created by dead and downed trees. Standing dead trees, known as snags, provide roosting sites for hawks and habitat for cavity-using birds (woodpeckers, wood ducks, some owls, and more), amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, such as squirrels. Insects and fungi thrive on downed wood, also aiding in their decomposition back to the soil. Brush piles created by downed trees and branches provide cover and homes for a variety of wildlife, including chipmunks, rabbits, and snakes.
Keeping the Forests Open
DEEP is taking steps to address damaged, diseased, and dead trees, particularly in high-use areas. You may see trees marked with a dot of orange paint in picnic areas, around parking lots, and along major trails. These trees are slated for removal – please stay away from them.
You are encouraged to visit our parks, forests, and wildlife management areas, but it is important to keep in mind there is always a certain element of risk in using natural areas. Taking precautions is prudent while you enjoy the wonderful natural resources our state has to offer.
DEEP Hazard Tree Mitigation
DEEP held a public meeting on March 15, 2022, and sought comments from the public to assist with DEEP’s development of a Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy. Written comments were submitted directly to DEEP at deep.hazardtrees@ct.gov on or before March 29, 2022, by 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Public Notice / View Emailed Public Comments / Recording of Public Meeting (Disclaimer: This is an unofficial transcript, it is computer-generated and may contain typos that have not been edited.)
DEEP held a second public meeting on July 11, 2022. View DEEP's Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy. View Emailed Public Comments (CEQ Comments). You can also view the recording of the public meeting. Please note there is an unofficial, computer generated transcript and it may contain typos that have not been edited.
DEEP FINAL Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy Posted. DEEP notified the public that the FINAL Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy is available for review. View the final public notice and policy.
The following hazard tree removal projects are ongoing or will be commencing in the near future:
Project Location: Dennis Hill State Park, Norfolk, CT
Project Details: Remove 31 trees Trees are a mix of dead and dying trees, identified as hazards.
Project Area and Potential Public Safety Risk: All marked trees, scheduled for removal are in a high use recreation area along the access road leading to the Dennis Hill State Park open air picnic shelter at the summit. Approximately 0.04 acres will be affected by this work.
Type of Removal: Trees will be felled using hand felling (chainsaw) techniques and aerial lift equipment, where appropriate. Logs that meet the DEEP Sawmill specifications will be delivered to the sawmill and utilized for lumber. Other logs will be removed. Brush will be chipped and wood chips used on-site.
Impacts to Public Access: Tree work will be completed during a time when there is very limited public use. There will be minor interruptions to access to facilitate safety during removals. Park closure may be necessary for a limited time to complete some areas of work.
NDDB: NDDB Determination 202503249 is in place and all recommendations will be implemented.
Heritage Trees: No Heritage Trees were identified during the hazard tree identification.
Project Time Frame: Approximately 40 hours of work, spring 2026, not to be done between June 1 and August 15
Project Location: Housatonic Meadows Campground, Sharon, CT
Project Details: Remove 16 trees, marked in December 2025. Trees are a mix of dead and dying oak, hemlock, pine, birch and cherry trees.
Project Area and Potential Public Safety Risk: All marked trees, scheduled for removal are in a high use recreation area along the Housatonic River. Approximately 0.04 acres will be affected by this work.
Type of Removal: Trees will be felled using hand felling (chainsaw) techniques. Wood will be chipped where possible and remaining logs removed from the site.
Impacts to Public Access: Tree work will be completed during a time when there is very limited public use. There will be minor interruptions to access to facilitate safety during removals.
NDDB: NDDB Determination 202502622 is in place and all recommendations will be implemented.
Heritage Trees: No Heritage Trees were identified during the hazard tree identification.
Project Time Frame: Approximately 2 weeks, late winter, early spring 2026
Project Location: Lovers Leap State Park, New Milford, CT
Project Details: Remove 20 trees and live pruning on 2. Trees are a mix of dead and dying Norway Maple and Catalpa Trees, Sycamore will be pruned.
Project Area and Potential Public Safety Risk: All marked trees, scheduled for removal are in a high use recreation area along the Housatonic River. Approximately 0.04 acres will be affected by this work.
Type of Removal: Trees will be felled using hand felling (chainsaw) techniques and aerial lift equipment, where appropriate. Logs that meet the DEEP Sawmill specifications will be delivered to the sawmill and utilized for lumber. Other logs will be removed. Brush will be chipped and wood chips used on-site.
Impacts to Public Access: Tree work will be completed during a time when there is very limited public use. There will be minor interruptions to access to facilitate safety during removals. Park closure may be necessary for a limited time to complete some areas of work.
NDDB: NDDB Determination 202508354 is in place and all recommendations will be implemented.
Heritage Trees: No Heritage Trees were identified during the hazard tree identification.
Project Time Frame: Approximately 40 hours of work, late winter, early spring 2026
The following hazard tree removal projects are scheduled for review in 2026 and upon internal approval will be posted with required details for Public Comment, in accordance with DEEP's Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy:
Park: Hop River State Park Trail, Bolton, Andover, Coventry, Columbia Size: 50 Trees (Round 2)
Removal of Fallen Trees or Felling of Trees: Felling of Trees
Reason: Dead, rotting, and/or engulfed in vines, or overhanging public access areas
Cost and Funding Source: $23,150.00, Bond Funding
Unique Characteristics: N/A Date of Inspection: 2/10/2025
Park: Dennis Hill State Park, Norfolk Size: 31 Trees
Removal of Fallen or Felling of Trees: Felling of Trees
Reason: Dead, rotting, and/or engulfed in vines, or overhanging public access areas
Cost and Funding Source: TBD, Bond Funding
Unique Characteristics: N/A Date of Inspection: 4/14/2025
Park: Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury Size: 120 Trees
Removal of Fallen or Felling of Trees: Felling of Trees
Reason: Dead, rotting, and/or engulfed in vines, or overhanging public access areas
Cost and Funding Source: TBD, Bond Funding
Unique Characteristics: N/A Date of Entry: 7/26/2025
Park: Lovers Leap State Park, New Milford Size: 20 Trees
Removal of Fallen or Felling of Trees: Felling of Trees
Reason: Dead, rotting, and/or engulfed in vines, or overhanging public access areas
Cost and Funding Source: TBD, Bond Funding
Unique Characteristics: N/A Date of Inspection: 10/24/2025
For more information, contact DEEP.Hazardtrees@ct.gov.
Related Information
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Spongy Moths
State Parks and Forests
Letterboxing
Snags for Wildlife
Content last updated January 16, 2026