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Goldman Sachs exec fires back in battle over Martha’s Vineyard trees

It’s a log jam! A Goldman Sachs chief became locked in a battle with Martha’s Vineyard locals last year after he chopped down protected trees to build a $32 million…

It’s a log jam!

A Goldman Sachs chief became locked in a battle with Martha’s Vineyard locals last year after he chopped down protected trees to build a $32 million mansion.

And after suffering a new setback, Page Six has learned, he’s still not ready to leaf well enough alone.

Authorities have told John Waldron, No. 2 at the Wall Street giant and a front-runner to succeed David Solomon at the helm, to replant the trees — but we’re told he’s filed an appeal against parts of that order.

Amanda Waldron and John Waldron attending an event.
John Waldron and his wife, Amanda — pictured here — removed cedar and oak trees after building their 15,000-square-foot waterfront mansion overlooking Katama Bay. Jemal Countess
Waterfront in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
The Waldrons sparked outrage after allegedly chopping down nearly 20 protected trees to improve the view from his $31.6 million Martha’s Vineyard estate. Similar homes in the area are pictured above. Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Waldron and his wife, Amanda — a former Goldman banker herself — bought a vacant Edgartown lot in 2020 and built a four-bedroom summer home on it.

But things got stick-y last spring after they decided to swing the ol’ Goldman ax and raze 19 trees, some reportedly up to 60 years old and 60 feet tall.

When local officials discovered in August 2025 that the couple had removed the cedars and pines from the property — allegedly to improve the view from their mansion — in violation of protections put in place to preserve the wetlands area, it became a saw point.

John E. Waldron speaking at a podium.
John is the President and COO of Goldman Sachs. Getty Images for Lincoln Center
White house with a porch and columns overlooking Katama Bay.
Local officials say the trees, located within a protected wetlands buffer, had been specifically ordered to remain because of their environmental importance. Similar trees are pictured in Edgartown. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Edgartown ordered the Waldrons to submit a plan that would explain how they intended to repair the damage.

The couple submitted the proposal in early 2026, but the town said the application was incomplete. Meanwhile, the Waldrons accused the town of taking too much time to deal with the issue and bumped it up to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, asking it to take over the review.

John Waldron and Amanda Waldron in formal wear at the School of American Ballet Winter Ball.
Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection approved the Waldrons’ restoration plan but said the approval did not erase Edgartown’s enforcement order over the tree removal. Getty Images for School Of American Ballet

Earlier this month, the DEP approved the plan — but said its ruling didn’t “nullify or supersede” Edgartown’s order, meaning the town could still require further fir-y fixes.

Then on Monday, the Waldrons appealed part of the DEP ruling.

They are not challenging the approval of the restoration plan itself.

Rather, documents reviewed by Page Six show, they are asking the DEP to reverse its determination that the town’s enforcement order remains in effect, arguing Edgartown lost jurisdiction when it took its time to consider their proposal.

A street scene in Edgartown, Massachusetts, showing pedestrians, cyclists, and storefronts.
When they’re not vacationing on the Vineyard, pictured above, the Waldrons live in a Central Park apartment they purchased for nearly $9 million in 2008. Getty Images

When they’re not on the Vineyard, the Waldrons live in a Central Park West apartment they purchased for nearly $9 million in 2008.

Page Six has reached out to the Massachusetts DEP for comment.

The post Goldman Sachs exec fires back in battle over Martha’s Vineyard trees appeared first on Page Six.