A mature sycamore tree that towered over Chestnut Hill for centuries was cut down last week.
Prestige Tree Services removed the Heritage tree at 307 Rex Ave. on August 18. It was one of the largest trees the company has ever cut down, a spokesperson for Prestige said. Kyle Loder, the home’s new owner, estimated it to be about 240 years old.
Loder, who grew up in Chestnut Hill, said he “adored the tree” and had no interest in removing it. But it was growing too large, and causing water and structural damage. He worried about the long-term maintenance costs and potential storm …
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A mature sycamore tree that towered over Chestnut Hill for centuries was cut down last week.
Prestige Tree Services removed the Heritage tree at 307 Rex Ave. on August 18. It was one of the largest trees the company has ever cut down, a spokesperson for Prestige said. Kyle Loder, the home’s new owner, estimated it to be about 240 years old.
Loder, who grew up in Chestnut Hill, said he “adored the tree” and had no interest in removing it. But it was growing too large, and causing water and structural damage. He worried about the long-term maintenance costs and potential storm damage. “If we were able to keep it without the issues it was causing, we wouldn’t have given it a second thought,” he said.
American sycamore trees, a native U.S. species, can live up to 500 years and grow 100 feet tall. They’re among the 31 Heritage tree species listed by the city of Philadelphia. Heritage trees have special value due to their ecological and historical significance. According to Philadelphia code, to obtain Heritage classification, a tree’s trunk must be at least 24 inches in diameter.
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy says sycamores are a crucial feature in Chestnut Hill. The Conservancy's Programs and Communications Manager Christine Clawson said in an email, “It is always difficult to see a mature tree removed, as these are among the neighborhood’s most visible and valued assets. Mature trees provide shade, stormwater management, and climate resilience, while also shaping the character of Chestnut Hill’s historic streetscape.”
"At the same time, removals may be necessary for safety or health reasons, and without knowing the specific circumstances, we cannot comment on this particular decision," Clawson added.
Philadelphia lost 6% of its tree cover from 2008-2018. In April, despite the city’s 10-year Philly Tree Plan (released in 2023), three other Heritage trees were removed from Mt. Airy to make way for a parking lot.
Clawson said, “Every removal underscores the importance of long-term planning, planting, and caring for new trees today, so that future generations can inherit the same canopy benefits we value now.”
Abby Weiss is an environmental reporter for the Local and a Report for America corps member. She can be reached at Abby@chestnuthilllocal.com.
This story was updated to provide a full quote from Christine Clawson.
