New Hampshire has passed a tough new law designed to protect historic stone walls from being plundered. People caught stealing stones from old walls will be subject to treble damages, which will include the cost of rebuilding these walls. Alas, most states, including Massachusetts provide very little protection so old walls are constantly being removed from our landscape. Most of Europe, on the other hand, goes to great lengths to preserve historic landscapes. Years ago, when I was in England on an internship, I was surprised to learn that even individual trees- of sufficient age- were listed as protected assets and could not be removed. It's difficult to overstate the important contribution to our landscape, our heritage, and even our economy made by historic stone walls, bridges, open space, and wooded areas.
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Mark Landry is the President of Landmark Services, Inc, one of the premier old house renovation contracting firms in Massachusetts. He loves old houses and would welcome the opportunity to discuss your renovation, restoration, or addition.