Connecticut law universally requires every municipality to appoint a tree warden with exclusive authority over the care, pruning, and removal of trees within public roads, parks, and grounds. Private individuals cannot prune public trees without warden permission.
Under Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 451, every town must appoint a tree warden who has sole control over public shade trees and shrubs in highways, public grounds, and parks (excluding state highways). The tree warden may prescribe regulations for the trimming, removal, and protection of public trees, and no person may prune or cut these trees without a written permit from the warden. The warden must post notice and hold a public hearing before removing any tree of substantial size. State highway trees fall under the Department of Transportation. Penalties apply for unauthorized cutting, including treble damages.
Unauthorized cutting or damage to public shade trees subjects the offender to fines and treble damages payable to the municipality under CGS § 23-65.
See how Windham's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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