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Springfield, MA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Planting permit fee: None
Issuing authority: City Forester
Applies to: Tree belt / city-owned land
Chapter last amended: March 18, 2024

Summary

Planting a tree in the Springfield, Massachusetts tree belt or on other city-owned land requires a free City Forester permit before work begins.

Any person seeking to plant a tree on City-owned land shall submit an application to the City Forester. Upon review, the City Forester may issue a permit for approved work to be completed. The permit may specify schedules, terms, and conditions. There shall be no fee for a public shade tree planting permit.
(4) Stump removal on City-owned land. Any person seeking to remove a stump on City-owned land shall submit an application to the City Forester. Upon review, the City Forester may issue a permit for approved work to be completed. The permit may specify schedules, terms, and conditions. There shall be no fee for a public stump removal permit.
F. Mitigation. A City-owned tree that is not a public shade tree or significant tree shall not be removed without prior written approval from the City Forester in consultation with the controlling authority of such City-owned land where the tree is situated. Upon review, the City Forester may condition such approval on the applicant's satisfaction of § 368-5F(1), (2) or (3). A public shade tree shall not be removed unless the procedures outlined in § 368-5E and at least one of the following provisions are satisfied:
(1)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).

Full Breakdown

Springfield, Massachusetts defines the 'tree belt' as the area within a street or roadway right-of-way suitable for growing trees, in Chapter 368 of the city code. Anyone who wants to plant a tree there, or on any other city-owned land, must first submit an application to the City Forester. The City Forester reviews the request and, if approved, issues a permit that can set schedules, terms, and conditions for the planting. There is no fee for a public shade tree planting permit, unlike the paid removal and pruning permits under the same chapter.

Violations & Fines

Chapter 368 does not set a separate penalty for unpermitted planting; general violations of the chapter's permit requirements are fined up to $500 per violation under § 368-8.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plant a tree in the strip between the sidewalk and street in Springfield, MA?

Only with a City Forester permit. Springfield's tree belt is city-owned land under Chapter 368, and planting there requires prior approval, though the permit itself is free.

Is there a fee to plant a street tree in Springfield?

No. Section 368-5E(3) of the city code sets no fee for a public shade tree planting permit, unlike removal ($25) or pruning ($25) permits.

Sources & Official References

[1]Springfield, MA Code of Ordinances, Ch. 368 (ecode360)

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