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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2026
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Why You’re Seeing Tree Clearing Along the Maine Turnpike
Drivers on Maine Turnpike may notice tree clearing along the roadway. This work is part of a long-term safety and environmental program.
Drivers on the southern section of the Maine Turnpike may notice something this season: crews clearing trees along the roadway. It’s a change that often prompts questions—what’s happening and why? The answer is simple: Safety.
Safety Always Comes First on the Turnpike
Trees that may be dead or unbalanced can pose risk. Removing hazards before they become a problem helps protect drivers, Maine's first responders and helps prevent accidents.
Reasons may include:
- Dead or Dying Trees - Trees that are dead or in decline pose a serious safety risk because they lose structural strength over time. High winds, storms, or even their own weight can cause them to fall without warning. Proactively removing these trees before they fail helps prevent accidents and traffic disruptions.
- Unsafe Trees (Example: Ash Trees) - Ash trees and other vulnerable species can be affected by invasive pests like the emerald ash borer. Once weakened, they become brittle and unsafe, so removing them helps prevent falling limbs and limits the spread of disease.
- Visibility - In highway design, the clear zone (right-of-way buffer) is a critical safety area beyond the shoulder that must remain free of obstacles. When trees grow too close to the roadway or within this zone, they can block sightlines, obscure traffic signs, and even create shadows in winter that resemble moving wildlife—distracting drivers. Maintaining a clear zone improves visibility, gives drivers more time to react to hazards like deer crossing, and significantly enhances overall roadway safety.
- Infrastructure Protection – Healthy drainage systems are essential for safe travel, especially during heavy rain. When tree roots invade or damage these systems, water can pool on the roadway, increasing the risk of hydroplaning and accidents. Removing problematic trees helps preserve drainage infrastructure, prevent standing water, and maintain the integrity of the road surface for safer driving conditions.
- Healthier Ecosystems -
By removing dense vegetation, crews can more easily spot and remove litter, keeping roadsides cleaner. Clearing fallen or diseased trees improves drainage. Plus, increased sunlight on the pavement reduces ice, lowering the need for salt and chemical de-icers that can harm soil and waterways.
Each year, MTA typically clears about 10 miles of tree line to maintain visibility, prevent falling trees, and protect drainage systems. After removal, in upland areas, stumps are ground to create a stable, low-maintenance area that can be mowed in the future as needed—reducing the chance of regrowth that could pose future risks.
Wetlands within the project's tree clearing limits are however managed differently to protectthese sensitive areas. We do not grind stumps in wetland areas and leave small diameter woody vegetation in-place. MTA may periodically remove select small trees from wetlands as part of future highway maintance operations to prevent them from becoming hazards.
Why The MTA 10-Foot Buffer
By pairing tree removal with a buffer for safety, this on-going project protects driver safety, while also providing noise screening for neighbors. A ten-foot buffer between the tree line and our right-of-way fencing isn’t just about appearance—it serves important safety and aesthetic purposes.
Science behind MTA's 10-foot buffer:
- Noise Reduction – Vegetation acts as a natural sound barrier, reducing traffic noise for nearby communities.
- Wildlife Management – A clear buffer discourages large animals from lingering near the pavement, reducing collision risks.
How Tree Clearing Improves Safety for Wildlife
A primary goal of clearing vegetation along highways is to reduce dangerous interactions between animals and vehicles.
Safety Measures help:
- Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions - Roadside vegetation attract animals close to the highway. Clearing these areas discourages wildlife from lingering near traffic, lowering the risk of fatal collisions for both animals and drivers.
- Creates Safer Corridors - Animals are less likely to be surprised by fast-moving vehicles when crossing reducing the chance of accidents that often kill wildlife.
How MTA Decides Where to Clear Trees
- Safety Priority Zones - Areas with the highest risk for vehicle collisions, poor visibility, or falling trees are addressed first.
- Condition Assessments - Crews inspect trees for disease, structural weakness, or storm damage.
- Seasonal Timing - Work is scheduled to minimize impact on nesting birds and sensitive habitats, often during winter or early spring before growth resumes.
From Roadside to Reuse: The Journey of Removed Trees
Most trees are sent to local businesses—such as paper mills, biomass facilities, or landscaping companies—so the material can be reused. Meaning the wood stays in Maine whenever possible.
For questions on this project, contact MTA Project Manager Brian Taddeo in the Engineering Department.