Meet Quincy’s Tree Warden, Dan Cathcart
Daniel E. Cathcart was appointed the Tree Warden for the City of Quincy in February 2023.
Daniel’s love of trees was passed down by his late father, who worked as an arborist for 67 years. “My first memory of being actively involved in arboriculture is when I was 10 years old,” he says. “My dad took me to an Arbor Day event in Lancaster, Mass., and had me speak on the history and significance of Arbor Day.”
Daniel started his career in 1986 as a tree climber. Years later he became a certified arborist and began a chapter as a sales representative for several tree companies.
For several years before joining the City of Quincy, Daniel operated a private arboricultural consulting practice. His focus was on tree protection, preservation, and maintenance planning.
Daniel holds several certifications and qualifications:
• International Society of Arboriculture - Board Certified Master Arborist #TX-1357B
• International Society of Arboriculture - Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
• Massachusetts Arborist Association – Massachusetts Certified Arborist #41801
• American Society of Consulting Arborist - Registered Consulting Arborist #766
• Massachusetts Qualified Tree Warden #1097
Daniel hopes to take a tree-centric approach to preserve and maintain the health of our urban forest, while maintaining public safety.
Check on tree work
Are workers pruning or cutting down a street tree? The work may not be sanctioned by the tree warden. Email the tree warden with the location of the tree, what is happening to it, and photos if possible. CC us on the email so we can follow up.
City info & policies
Tree protection ordinance
In 2008, the City Council passed an ordinance that requires property owners who apply for construction permits from the city to submit a survey of the trees on their property as well as a plan to replace (or pay into a public fund for) any “significant” trees that they want to remove. (“Significant” refers to any tree wider than 8 inches in diameter as measured from a height of four feet above the ground.)
Tree talks
2023 Quincy Trees Library talk:
Dan Cathcart (City of Quincy Tree Warden), Heather Charles Lis (City of Quincy Environmental Scientist) and Ryan Fawcett (Urban Forester from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) discuss a variety of issues and topics regarding Quincy's trees.
Library talk: Quincy’s trees
Quincy’s former tree warden, Chris Hayward, DCR urban forester Ahron Lerman, and BU biologist Pam Templer talk trees in this online panel discussion from January 21, 2021.
Check on tree work
Are workers pruning or cutting down a street tree? The work may not be sanctioned by the tree warden. Email the tree warden with the location of the tree, what is happening to it, and photos if possible. CC us on the email so we can follow up.