Trimming trees on your own land needs no permit anywhere in Plymouth County. But public shade trees along a road or town way cannot be cut or trimmed without the tree warden's written permit, under MGL c.87 §3.
On private property throughout Plymouth County communities, from Pembroke to Wareham, an owner may prune trees freely. The controlling rule is state law, not county code, and it protects public shade trees: any tree within a public way or on the boundary of one. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 87, section 3 bars anyone, including the abutting owner, from cutting or trimming a public shade tree except under a written permit from the town's tree warden, and removal requires a posted public hearing. Every Plymouth County town appoints a tree warden. Roadside trimming for utility clearance is handled by the tree warden and the utility, not by residents reaching into the public way.
Cutting or trimming a public shade tree without the tree warden's written permit is punishable by forfeiture of up to five hundred dollars to the town under MGL c.87 §6. Private-property trimming carries no state penalty.
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