Public shade trees in Waltham are protected under MGL c.87 (Massachusetts Shade Tree Law). Cutting or major trimming requires Tree Warden approval and a public hearing for removals.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87, the Shade Tree Law, governs all public shade trees in Waltham, defined as any tree within the public way or on the boundary of the public way. The Waltham Tree Warden, typically within the Department of Public Works, has exclusive authority over pruning, trimming, and removal of public shade trees. Residents may NOT unilaterally trim or cut branches of street trees even where they overhang private property without Tree Warden permission. Major pruning or any removal of a public shade tree requires posted notice and a public hearing. For private trees on a resident's own property, no permit is generally required, though cutting a tree overhanging a neighbor's property should be done to the property line only, and the neighbor cannot cut beyond the property line onto your tree. Call 781-314-3860 for Tree Warden questions.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Waltham, MA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle tree trimming.
See how Waltham's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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