Old Orchard Beach park removes more than 500 trees to fight invasive insect

Guild Park’s Forest Revitalization Begins After Invasive Adelgid Outbreak

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME – A once‑thick canopy that had shaded the 20‑acre Guild Park for more than a century is now a patchwork of bare branches and budding saplings. The change follows a decisive response by the Ocean Park Association and the Maine Forest Service to a growing threat from the hemlock woolly adelgid, an Asian‑origin insect that has decimated hemlock trees across New England.

The removal of 578 trees from Guild Park—a figure the Forest Service cited in its recent management plan—was announced as part of a broader effort to stem the adelgid’s spread. The insects attack the cambium and needles of hemlocks, weakening and ultimately killing mature trees in as little as two years. “They’re very prolific and reproduce very quickly,” Mark Lauritano, a committee member of the Ocean Park Association’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee, told reporters. “A cold snap below zero can kill them, but those stretches of weather are becoming increasingly rare as winters warm.”

The decision to fell more than half a thousand trees was met with visible emotion from park users. “It was very emotional,” Lauritano recalled. “A lot of people use the park. People get emotional when you remove trees.” The park, which has served as a conservation easement and public green space since the late 1800s, had become overgrown to the point that nearly 4,000 trees cast a dense shade, allowing little light to reach the forest floor.

A New Vision for an Old Landscape

Rather than a purely destructive cleanup, the committee envisions a transformed habitat. By creating an open canopy, the park will support native flora and fauna that thrive with increased sunlight. “A less dense forest with an open canopy will allow native flora and fauna to thrive,” Lauritano explained. The plan includes planting new saplings—about 500 were introduced this spring—to replace lost trees and ensure a continuous growth cycle.

The cleared area will also host a new visitors’ center aimed at educating hikers, school groups, and the public about the region’s ecosystems. The project is still in early stages, but the committee hopes the center will enhance safety, support wildlife, and provide an engaging educational platform. “This project is for the good of the park and for safety,” Lauritano said. “It’ll be good for wildlife as well.”

Funding will come from a mix of grants and private donations, with professional foresters collaborating to monitor the forest for further invasive species such as shrub honeysuckles and Japanese knotweed.

Monitoring and Management on the Ground

Visitors can expect to see a variety of markers in the forest. Bright orange bands identify hemlock trees that require ongoing monitoring for adelgid activity; reddish trail markings and little white flags—attached to saplings—serve as guides for maintenance crews. The flags denote seedlings planted this season; with the thinning canopy, these young trees should receive ample sunlight to flourish.

In addition to physical markers, the association plans to deploy predator beetles that feed on the woolly adelgid during the spring. Each beetle costs approximately $3—a cost Lauritano acknowledged, but one he believes is worth the investment. “We hope for the best with them,” he said, noting that the beetles’ introduction is part of a larger biological control strategy.

The committee will continue to work with foresters to identify and treat new infestations, ensuring that the park’s recovery is sustained. Regular surveys will track the health of hemlock trees and the presence of any emerging invasive plants.

Community Impact and Looking Ahead

Guild Park has long been a cherished local amenity, offering a natural escape amid the town’s businesses and restaurants. The removal of trees, while initially jarring, has opened the possibility for a healthier, more resilient forest ecosystem. “We’re viewing the tree clearing as an opportunity,” Lauritano said. The new layout is expected to benefit not only the park’s wildlife but also visitors who enjoy hiking, educational camps, and nature study.

As the first saplings push through the cleared earth, the park’s future looks promising. The Ocean Park Association’s commitment to monitoring, biological control, and educational outreach sets a precedent for how communities can confront invasive species while preserving and enhancing natural spaces for generations to come.