Tree removal permit rules in Plymouth County, MA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
You may remove trees on your own land in Plymouth County without a county permit. But no public shade tree in or beside a road may be removed without a tree warden's public hearing and written consent, under MGL c.87 §3.
Removing a tree standing on private property in a Plymouth County community requires no county approval, because Massachusetts counties hold no ordinance power. The firm limit is state law protecting public shade trees, meaning any tree within a public way or on its boundary. Under MGL chapter 87, section 3, such a tree cannot be cut down or removed by anyone, including the abutting owner, without the tree warden's written permit and a duly posted public hearing. Towns from Scituate to Middleborough enforce this through their tree warden. Trees near wetlands, bogs, or coastal banks carry a separate check: removal that alters a protected resource area needs conservation commission approval under the Wetlands Protection Act.
Removing a public shade tree without the tree warden's consent is punishable by forfeiture of up to five hundred dollars to the town under MGL c.87 §6. Unpermitted work in a wetland buffer draws separate conservation commission enforcement orders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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