Suffolk County, NY Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- DPW Commissioner, County Code § A8-3
- Funding condition
- Only when Legislature appropriates funds
- New construction rule
- 1 shade tree per 50 ft frontage
- Private property planting
- Requires abutting owner's consent
- Maintenance period
- At least two years
Summary
Suffolk County's Department of Public Works may plant trees and shrubs along the rights-of-way of County roads, including new construction, erosion-control plantings on cuts and fills, and shade trees at County building sites, but only when the Legislature appropriates funding.
The Commissioner of the Department of Public Works shall plant rows or groups of suitable trees and/or shrubs along the bounds of existing County roads or County roads to be constructed in the future, at such places as he may determine, and may also plant on the banks of such cuts and fills as were made in constructing, reconstructing or improving such County roads such shrubs or trees as are necessary and suitable to prevent or stay erosion thereof. Such trees and/or shrubs shall be planted in any year in which funds are appropriated for such purpose by the County Legislature.
B. The Commissioner may, with the consent of the owner of the abutting premises, enter upon such premises to plant suitable trees or shrubs as he may determine as desirable, either for reason of safety or as replacements for trees and shrubbery lost because of a County road project, and to maintain such trees and shrubs for a period of at least two years.
C. The Commissioner is not required to plant shrubs or trees under the provisions of this section should such planting already be in existence, should the soil in any place be too stony for such planting or should such planting imperil the safety of the public.
D.
Full Breakdown
Under § A8-3 of the County Code, the DPW Commissioner plants rows or groups of trees and shrubs along existing and future County road boundaries, and on cut-and-fill banks to control erosion, whenever the Legislature funds the work. With an abutting owner's consent, DPW may also plant on private property adjoining a County road for safety or to replace trees lost to a road project, maintaining them at least two years. New County building or parking-lot construction must include one shade tree per 50 feet of road frontage and one per 20 parking spaces. Cornell Cooperative Extension implements the program.
Violations & Fines
No penalty applies to residents: this is a county planting program, not a prohibition. DPW isn't required to plant where planting already exists, soil is too stony, or it would endanger public safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Suffolk County require homeowners to plant trees along the road?
Can I ask Suffolk County to plant a street tree in front of my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Suffolk County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Suffolk County to another location·View the New York tree protection overview
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