Tree removal permit rules in Essex County, MA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Removing a tree from your own Essex County yard needs no permit, but public shade trees in the road right-of-way require the tree warden's consent after a hearing, and clearcutting forest land triggers a state cutting plan.
Massachusetts leaves private-property tree removal unregulated, so a homeowner in Danvers or Newburyport can take down a backyard tree freely. Trees in the public way are different: chapter 87, section 3 forbids removing a public shade tree without the tree warden's approval and a posted public hearing. Large-scale clearing is also controlled; chapter 132, section 42 requires notice to abutters within 200 feet and a state-issued work order before commercial forest cutting begins. Wetland-adjacent removals need conservation commission review.
Felling a public shade tree without warden consent forfeits up to $500 under chapter 87, section 6; illegal forest cutting draws MassDEP penalties and restoration orders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Essex County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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