Bethel, CT Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Chapter 103, Trees, dates to a 1960 Town Meeting adoption and puts every public tree, defined as the root system and growth of any tree, shrub, plant or woody vegetation in a public park, public area or public highway, under the charge, custody and control of a Tree Warden appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Section 103-6 governs removal, along with planting and transplanting: the Tree Warden may approve a request for any of the three, but if the work is of no immediate advantage to the general public and benefits only the requester, that person must pay the cost and the work has to be done under the Tree Warden's supervision.

This sits alongside § 103-3, which separately bars anyone from cutting, pruning, spraying or otherwise altering a public tree without the Tree Warden's permission, and § 103-5, which requires a permit from the Tree Warden before any building construction, house moving or excavation likely to damage a public tree, with the cost of repairing that damage borne by the permit holder or whoever caused the damage. None of Chapter 103 reaches trees on private property that are not overhanging a public park or highway; Bethel's tree code regulates the public tree stock, not what a homeowner does with a tree entirely on their own lot. Violating any provision of the chapter is a misdemeanor under § 103-9, punishable by a fine of up to $100.