Babylon, NY Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Sidewalk-area (parkway) plantings only
- Approved list
- ~14 named species
- Reason
- Root systems safe for sidewalks/utilities
- Examples
- Sugar maple, pin oak, American linden
Summary
Only a specific list of root-safe species may be planted in the sidewalk strip fronting Town of Babylon properties, to protect sidewalks, curbs, and utilities, under Town Code § 191-19.
No tree shall be planted within the sidewalk area in front of or adjacent to any private premises except trees whose root systems normally will not cause damage to sidewalks, curbs or utility installations. Trees of the following varieties may be planted: sugar maple (Acer saccharum); tree of heaven (Ailanthus glandulosa); Northern red oak (Quercus borealis); scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea); pin oak (Quercus palustris); American linden (Tilia americana); silver linden (Tilia tomentosa); moraine honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos); moraine flowering dogwood (Cornus florida); red flowering dogwood (Cornus florida rubra); Japanese dogwood (Cornus kousa); goldenrain (Koel reuteria paniculata); sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum); Eastern plane (Platanus orientalis); and flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941158; v66 updated 2026-05-13; through 05-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
Town Code § 191-19 bars planting any tree in the sidewalk area, the parkway strip between curb and property line, unless its species is one whose root system normally won't damage sidewalks, curbs, or utility lines. The code lists roughly a dozen approved varieties, including sugar maple, Northern red oak, scarlet oak, pin oak, American and silver linden, moraine honey locust, several dogwoods, goldenrain tree, sourwood, Eastern plane, and flowering ash.
Violations & Fines
The code sets no separate fine for this section; unauthorized plantings fall under the Town's general penalty provisions in §§ 1-15 through 1-17 and can be ordered removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What street trees can I plant in the sidewalk strip in Babylon?
Why does Babylon restrict which trees go by the sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Babylon
New York rules heatmap·Compare Babylon to another location·View the New York tree protection overview
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle parkway planting.