Boston, MA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Boston Code § 7-4.7(C), (E)(3), (G)(2)(b)(3)
- Invasive definition source
- Commonwealth's prohibited plant list
- Removal authority
- Tree Warden, Parks & Recreation Dept.
- Hearing requirement
- Waived for invasive tree removals
Summary
Boston Code § 7-4.7(C) defines an invasive plant by reference to the commonwealth's prohibited plant list, and lets the Tree Warden remove public shade or city property trees identified as invasive without a public hearing.
INVASIVE PLANT. A plant that is both non-native and able to establish on many sites, grow quickly and spread to the point of disrupting plant communities or ecosystems, including, but not limited to, the trees listed on the commonwealth's prohibited plant list... The Tree Warden shall have the authority to remove trees or any part of trees that are dead, dying, diseased or posing a risk to persons and/or property, or if determined to be an invasive tree species, or for the suppression of pests in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 87, Section 5.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Current through Ordinance 2025 C. 14, passed 11-5-2025).
Full Breakdown
7(E)(3), the Tree Warden may remove trees, or parts of trees, that are dead, dying, diseased, pose a risk to persons or property, or are 'determined to be an invasive tree species,' following the ANSI A300 Standard and best management practices. 7(G)(2)(b)(3) confirms that no public hearing is required before removing a city property tree found to be an invasive species, the same no-hearing carve-out applies to dead, dying, diseased or hazardous trees and pest suppression. 7(G)(1) for city property trees 3 inches or greater in DBH.
L. Chapter 41 § 106, and any removal made under this exception is reported to the Parks and Recreation Department, which may request a certified arborist's assessment supporting the invasive determination.
Violations & Fines
There is no separate penalty provision for possessing an invasive plant; the operative local consequence is procedural: a tree the Tree Warden designates invasive under § 7-4.7(C)/(E)(3) can be removed by the Department without the public notice and hearing that § 7-4.7(G)(1) otherwise requires for city property trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boston have its own list of banned invasive plants?
Can the city remove an invasive tree without notifying the public?
Who decides whether a tree is invasive?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boston
Compare Boston to another location·View the Massachusetts invasive plant rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.