Public trees require care, whether it be pruning, fertilizing, removing or replanting.
Trees are abundant in Maine, but trees in common areas, parks, streets, cemeteries and schools, are increasingly being lost to development, old age and urban stress. As Dutch Elm disease began decimating Maine's elm population, it was the tree warden's duty to monitor and control the spread of the disease through town trees. Since then, many towns have retained the post of tree warden. Most often tree wardens are volunteers. Limited budgets often mean that the tree warden performs his or her duties with little or no stipend.