The MA Public Shade Tree Law (MGL Chapter 87) requires Tree Warden approval for pruning any public shade tree. All 54 Middlesex municipalities appoint a Tree Warden with legal authority.
Tree trimming in Middlesex County is strictly regulated by the Massachusetts Public Shade Tree Law, MGL Chapter 87. Under this law, every city and town must appoint a Tree Warden who has exclusive legal authority over public shade trees, defined as trees in public ways or on the boundary of public ways. No person may cut, trim, or remove a public shade tree without written permission from the Tree Warden, and for trees over 1.5 inches diameter, a public hearing is required before removal. Violations can carry fines up to $500 per tree plus restitution for tree value, which can exceed $10,000 for mature specimens. Trees on private property are generally the owner's to trim, but trees near power lines fall under utility easement rules (Eversource, National Grid). Branches overhanging a neighbor's property may be trimmed to the property line under common law, but cutting beyond is actionable trespass. Middlesex towns like Newton, Brookline (Norfolk), Cambridge, Lexington, and Arlington actively enforce Chapter 87.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no operational county government - it was abolished July 11, 1997 under M.G.L. c. 34B - so there is no countywide noise ordinance. Massa...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County treats persistent barking as a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. Dog licensing required statewide (MGL c.140 §155).
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no unified leaf blower ordinance. Regulations are set by individual cities and towns such as Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, and Lexington...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight and size limits apply. Overnight storage of heavy trucks prohibited.
Middlesex County, MA
Driveway rules are set by each Middlesex County city or town zoning bylaw. Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham regulate curb cuts, width, paving, a...
Middlesex County, MA
Winter parking bans are the dominant rule across Middlesex County. Most cities prohibit overnight on-street parking from November through April to allow snow...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle tree trimming.
See how Burlington's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.