Massachusetts protects all trees within public ways as public shade trees, requiring tree warden hearing and posted notice before removal statewide.
G.L. c. 87 establishes that all trees within a public way or on the boundaries are public shade trees under the control of the local tree warden. No public shade tree larger than one and one-half inches in diameter at breast height may be cut, trimmed, or removed without written permission from the tree warden after a public hearing held under c. 87 Section 3. Notice must be posted on the tree at least seven days in advance, and the warden may impose conditions including replacement.
Unauthorized cutting of a public shade tree is punishable by fines up to $500 per tree and treble damages under G.L. c. 242 Section 7.
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