Trees may be nice at a cemetery, but Southwest Harbor burial bosses are putting their foot down.
Their view is, enough is enough.
Seems that descendants of “property owners” in Mount Height Cemetery have neglected upkeep at their plots.
As a result, trees and bushes they’ve planted over the years in the non-profit cemetery have grown out of control.
In fact, the 123-year-old cemetery, one of five burial grounds in the small Hancock County town, has a deed restriction that forbids big trees.
So trustees of the popular burying ground have notified “land owners:” trim your bushes or we’re going to rip ‘em out.
“Any planting by the owners of a plot that is over 10 feet tall and/or encroaches on neighboring plots or cemetery pathways, will be removed or trimmed, as assessed by a tree specialist, starting in 2026 unless removed by the family,” trustees said in a legally published warning.
Rest assured, they’re only trying to keep cemetery vegetation from blocking future growth.
The cemetery, located along Route 102 (Bass Harbor Road) just south of the downtown area, was opened in 1902, shortly after the town of Southwest Harbor was established.
In terms of Maine burial grounds Mt. Height is a virtual youngster. Eastern Cemetery in Portland, the state’s oldest, was established in 1668.
Diminutive in size compared to many cemeteries – its original size was only a half acre – Mt. Height has distinguished itself in Maine history as being the final resting place of at least 23 Coast Guard lighthouse keepers.
Lighthouse Digest holds an occasional ceremony there at keepers’ graves to make sure they have veteran markers.
