Irondequoit, NY Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 214-7 of the Town of Irondequoit Code governs every street and parkway tree. A Town tree is any tree growing in a public place, and a public place is all grounds owned by the Town or under its control, including but not limited to highways. A highway is the entire width of every public way or right-of-way open to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

A resident who wants a tree planted or replaced applies to the Commissioner of Public Works, who is the Commissioner of Public Works/Superintendent of Highways of the Town of Irondequoit, and waits for approval before any work starts. Under § 214-3 the Town Conservation Board, together with the Commissioner, receives and reviews these applications and makes recommendations to the Commissioner on tree plantings, pruning and removals on a public right-of-way. The applicant pays for all costs associated with the planting, removals or replacements. All work has to comply with the arboricultural specifications and standards of practice adopted by the Town Board, which cover planting site and tree selection, site preparation and tree planting, maintenance, removal, replanting and replacement.

The Town forestry plan under § 214-4 carries a master tree list, a listing of suitable and desirable types and species of trees able to thrive in Town highways and other public places, plus a street tree inventory. The Town's own crews skip the application, and § 214-9 lets the Commissioner, with Town Board consent, issue a public service corporation a permit covering its tree trimming and removal.

Section 214-5 gives the Town the right to trim, spray, water, stake, treat and remove Town trees. Section 214-6 bars anyone from cutting, carving, injuring, painting, harming, removing, damaging or defacing a Town tree, from attaching a sign, wire or nail to it, and from letting brine, oil, gasoline or other harmful substances reach the soil at its base. Owners stay responsible under § 214-5(B) for keeping a tree they planted in the right-of-way from becoming a hazard or an impediment to travel or vision.