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Participate In The Public Tree Ordinance Process

Here you can find information on public meetings related to trees and tree removal hearings.

The Urban Forestry Division oversees street trees. These are defined as public shade trees that are protected by Massachusetts General Law: Chapter 87. The law has been in effect for over a century. It extends protections to public shade trees and governs their removal.

Community Meetings Related to Trees

Community Meetings

There are no public tree hearings scheduled at this time.

Meeting Name Meeting Date Associated Documents
Meeting NameCheck back later for Arborist Reports from past meetings.
Meeting Date 
Associated Documents 

During an online meeting, members of the public may submit any comments or questions by “raising their hand”, or by typing in the chat box.

You can also provide public testimony before the meeting by sending an email to trees@boston.gov.

  • (Please put “[Location] Tree hearing” in the subject line).

Tree Removal Hearings (MGL 87)

Tree Removal Hearings

If you want to have a public shade tree removed for construction or another reason, please read this guide on the application process.

Tree hearings are scheduled for the first Thursday of each month starting at 10 a.m. If the first Thursday of the month is on a holiday observed by the City of Boston, the Tree Removal Hearing will be held on the second Tuesday of that month.

There are no tree removal hearings scheduled at this time.

During the online hearing, members of the public may submit any comments or questions by “raising their hand”, or by typing in the chat box. You can also provide public testimony before the meeting, by email or mail:

BY EMAIL:

trees@boston.gov (Please put “[Location] Tree hearing” in the subject line)

BY MAIL:

Tree Warden, Boston Parks and Recreation Department
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd floor
Dorchester, MA 02118

Quarter Date Tree Hearing Report
Quarter DateApril-June 2024
Tree Hearing ReportTree Hearing Quarterly Report
Quarter DateJuly-September 2024
Tree Hearing ReportTree Hearing Quarterly Report
Quarter DateOctober-December 2024
Tree Hearing ReportTree Hearing Quarterly Report
Quarter Datemore to come!
Tree Hearing Report 

 

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