Public Shade Tree Hearing Notices

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 (Public Shade Tree Law) protects the unauthorized cutting, trimming, or removal of healthy public shade trees without approval of the Town's Tree Warden.

The procedure for securing a permit to cut, trim, or remove a healthy public shade tree is as follows:

1. A written request is made to the Tree Warden to remove a public shade tree by sending a letter to the Department of Public Works, 121 Glen Road, Wilmington, MA 01887.

2. The Tree Warden will inspect the tree and consider the reasons for the removal request.

3. The Tree Warden will schedule a public hearing. In circumstances where the public shade tree is located within a scenic road, the hearing is held with the Planning Board. If the tree is considered unhealthy, unsafe, or is considered a hindrance or partial hindrance which affects public safety, the Tree Warden may decide the tree be removed without a tree hearing.

4. Notice of the public hearing is given by the Tree Warden, identifying size, type and location of the shade tree or trees to be cut down or removed. The notice shall be posted in two or more public places in the town and upon the tree at least seven days before such hearing and published in a newspaper of general circulation in the town once in each of two successive weeks, the first publication to be not less than seven days before the hearing.

5. Upon completion of the public hearing, the Tree Warden issues a written permit for the removal of the tree or trees. If written objection is made by one or more persons to the Tree Warden at or before the public hearing, a permit to cut or remove cannot be issued unless approved by the Board of Selectmen.

Shade Tree Notices are Below:

Departments

Boards & Committees