Medford, MA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Section 86-91, in chapter 86's Article III on trees, requires anyone who wants to cut, trim or top off a tree standing in the public ways of Medford to first obtain the permission of the tree warden. The work, once approved, must be performed under the tree warden's direction and follow M.G.L.A. c. 87, §§ 3-5, the state shade tree statute the city ordinance incorporates for the mechanics of removal and trimming. The tree warden position itself is created by § 86-61, appointed annually by the mayor for a one-year term beginning the first Monday of March, and § 86-62 gives the warden care of shade trees within the limits of the highways plus all powers and duties conferred on tree wardens by M.G.L.A. c.

87. Section 86-63 separately makes the tree warden responsible for insect and pest control duties under M.G.L.A. c. 132, § 13. The rule reaches only trees standing in the public ways, meaning street and highway rights-of-way the city or Commonwealth control, not trees on purely private residential lots away from the public way. The ordinance dates to Revised Ords. 1974, ch. 26, § 3, and remains the operative permission requirement for any resident, contractor or utility crew wanting to cut or trim a Medford street tree.