Greece, NY Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 193-7 puts all work on Town or public trees, meaning any tree growing within a Town highway or public place, under the Commissioner of Public Works. No person other than the Commissioner or a duly authorized deputy may fertilize, spray, cable or brace, trim, prune, or cut a public tree above or below ground without first obtaining a permit; the Commissioner issues one only if the proposed work and workmanship are satisfactory, and supervises and inspects the work performed under it. A related clearance rule applies near intersections: § 157-12 caps vegetation, fences, walls, signs and other obstructions to three feet above the nearest street grade within the sight-triangle areas at street and driveway intersections, but exempts trees so long as the lowest foliage-bearing branch is kept at least seven feet above the street grade.

That seven-foot clearance line effectively requires trimming any tree limb that droops below it within the triangle. Chapter 193's underlying purpose, stated in § 193-1, ties this permit system to public safety and property values, citing the role trees play in stabilizing soil, controlling water pollution and providing shade, which is why unsupervised cutting or pruning of a public tree is restricted rather than left to abutting owners.