WORCESTER, Mass. - A Worcester city councilor is asking City Manager Ed Augustus to consider creating an Urban Forestry Tree Commission.

District 1 councilor Sean Rose says it could help the Department of Public Works Forestry division and the tree warden in proactive research, tree inventory and tree campaigns.

Rose says it could also help to increase and protect the city's shade tree canopy and overall help improve the urban community forest. 

He says he's been happy with the amount of responses from volunteers.

“There are dozens and dozens and dozens who have reached out to me. At one point we had a signature list of 90 people who have some expertise or experience with climate, environment, or trees who signed a petition in support of this commission,” Rose said. “So I'm very confident we'll be able to create a team of experts to help guide us, help get us funding, and, more importantly than anything, proactively look at the things we're doing. Where we have limited diversity of trees in the same spots."

Councilor Rose mentioned the importance of spreading out trees to avoid invasive species like the Asian longhorned beetle. 

Earlier this summer, the City proposed removing nearly 100 healthy trees for road and sidewalk projects.  Only a small portion of the trees were approved to be removed.