Council confirms Largess as Warren's new tree warden

Commission chair highlights 2024 plantings, expects even more this year

By Mike Rego
Posted 1/15/25

Of the two candidates to apply for and attend the Warren Town Council meeting Tuesday night, Jan. 14, seeking to fill the open tree warden position, the body unanimously supported the hiring of …

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Council confirms Largess as Warren's new tree warden

Commission chair highlights 2024 plantings, expects even more this year

Posted

Of the two candidates to apply for and attend the Warren Town Council meeting Tuesday night, Jan. 14, seeking to fill the open tree warden position, the body unanimously supported the hiring of Matthew Largess, who operates a forestry business in North Kingstown and is the self-proclaimed "voice of the forest."

Both applicants had ties to Washington (South) County. The other was Regina Costa, a resident of Wakefield.

Largess appeared to the more persuasive of the two, especially with his considerable professional profile in the industry. Costa, who showed impressive educational credentials and a keen interest on the subject, did not have the same qualifications it seemed.

The new warden actually introduced himself as "Matthew 'The Twig' Largess," as well as the aforementioned voice of the forest.

He has owned and operated Largess Forestry Inc. for over four decades. However, he said he was "rying to get out of the tree company. It got so big, I want to sell it and just do consulting."

He also lives his passion, almost literally. Largess said he resides in a cabin in the Pachaug State Forest in Connecticut that borders Rhode Island. He's done so since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of his interest locally, Largess said, "I've done quite a bit of work in Warren on trees and fell in love with this little town."

As well for the region. He also referred to his time as the tree warden in Central Falls in a voluntary role for over 12 years, where he claims to have helped plant "over 1,000 trees."

He continued about his time there, "We have the biggest elm tree in New England in the city. I have planted a peace forest at the new high school that we are now moving because they put the high school where it was a flood plane, but I I have a long way to go."

Of Warren, Largess said, "I've been coming down to the waterfront. I've seen a big change where they have the restaurant thing and Luther Blount was there. I knew him back in the day. I do a lot of work on Prudence Island and do a lot of work in Bristol.

"So I'm over this way quite a bit. So I'm very interested. trees are cool and so are you. There's a lot of big trees in New England's villages. We are the greatest forests in the world. A lot of people don't realize that. They think of the redwoods in California, which are great. Where are trees come back like New England's been cut over two or three times. Just look at all the forests in our state with over 50%."

Largess mentioned a brief conversation he had with Warren Department of Public Works Director Brian Wheeler, who told him the unfortunate instance of just the same day having to cut down what was described as a "huge" willow tree in town.

"I did a survey in Warren, all the way to the bridge in Bristol. I could not believe the size of these trees and the problems that they have with sidewalks lifting and things like that," Largess said.

He quizzed the body on the importance of trees, Councilor John Hanley responding with the correct answer that they provide humans with oxygen. As well, he noted another critical role trees perform in the fight to stem climate change. In addition, he asked and answered the question about which is the state tree of Rhode Island, the red maple.

"You're a waterfront town. What's the elevation of this town, seven feet? If that. So there's things like that," Largess concluded. "But I'd love to work in this town. I really would. I hope I get the chance."

Last week's meeting included a look back and ahead by the Warren Tree Commission chairman Charles Staton Jr.

The discussion was introduced by Council Louis Rego, who noted his initial dissatisfaction with the commission, which he said was created during his previous stint on the council at the turn of the century, before being pleasantly surprised to learn it had helped plant some 30 trees alone in 2024.

Said Staton on plans for 2025, "Well, this year should be one of the best years ever because we have the new Warren Tree Canopy Council. And they're advising us and they get us a lot of information and there's going to be funding sources on them and we've just started it."

He continued, "So I feel like we this is going to be a great year as far as what we can do with the tree commission. Now we have a new tree warden, so that seems to be a very positive thing as well."

The conversation moved into the topic of preservation upon a question posed by Councilor Derrik Trombley who asked about the distinction between a "significant tree" and a "historic tree" included in the commission's annual report.

Staton explained, a significant tree is a tree that has a diameter 30 inches or bigger at breast height. The commission is attempting to save as many as possible, including by offering voluntary program where the trees become deed protected.

Historical trees, he continued are trees the commission has researched, including some that have been traced to the late 1700s planted by Admiral (Oliver Hazard ) Perry.

One of the examples, a Japanese scholar tree, which some believe to be a descendant from Perry's expedition to Japan, while others say it's from George Rogers Hall, who was in a horticulturist in Bristol and who also went to Japan and returned with trees.

As a reminder, the tree commission, including its new warden, meet the last Monday of every month in the youth center on the ground level of town hall at 6:30 p.m.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.