CHESTERFIELD – Eversource and the city’s tree warden have marked 251 broken, damaged and diseased trees along Ireland Street for removal to prevent the dangerous trees from falling on power lines.

The trees identified as dangerous vary in species and size, but many are ash trees that have suffered significant damage from the Asian ash beetle and, in their weakened state, could fall over on wires, said tree warden JD Lynch. Most of the hemlock, pine, maple, birch, cherry, beech and poplar trees slated for removal have been damaged by storms and ice, causing branches to break off or trunks to snap.

“Almost all of the trees slated for removal are ash trees that have been severely damaged by the Asian ash borer and have lost branches or fallen apart,” Lynch said. “Quite a few other trees up there (on Ireland St.) have been damaged or broken off by wind or ice.”

Residents who want to save one of the trees marked with a blue ribbon can attend a joint public hearing with Lynch and the Planning Board next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Highway Garage, 164 Main Road. Eversource, which will pay for a portion of the tree removals, and Northern Tree Service, the company contracted to remove the trees, will also be in attendance.

“Many ash trees are dying and when they fall, they take down power lines,” said City Administrator Brenda Lessard. “Eversource is doing cleanup of existing lines to prevent power outages in the winter or during big storms, which we have been experiencing a lot lately.”

The Planning Board will assist Lynch in conducting the hearing because Ireland Street is designated as a scenic street. Most of the trees are located between the lower end of the Ireland Street Extension and River Street, where the Chesterfield Gorge Reservation is located.

“If any of the residents have a problem with one of the trees, they are asked to make a note of the tree and bring it to the public hearing to discuss the problem with Eversource,” Lessard said.

Lynch and Eversource worked together to mark the dangerous trees based on signs of damage. Lynch points out that Ireland Street is particularly prone to wind, which increases the likelihood of a tree falling onto a power line during stormy weather.

A list of trees discussed during the hearing can be found on the city’s website.

Emilee Klein can be reached at [email protected].