How to request a tree removal

We will usually remove a tree if it’s dead, diseased, or poses a risk to the public. If you want to remove a healthy tree, we need to hold a public hearing. When you make your request, you will need to give us your property’s site plan.

If we decide to remove the tree, you have to pay for its removal. We also charge you a fee of $300* per inch of diameter of the tree. This money goes into the Fund for Parks and Recreation. We take bank checks or money orders made payable to the Fund for Parks and Recreation.

* There is a possibility to recoup this money based on the same $300 per inch of diameter formula. We outline the details at the tree hearing.

Send an email that includes the specifics of your request — as well as your property’s site plan — to the Tree Warden at parks@boston.gov.

The Tree Warden or another member of the Parks Department will study the site of the tree and the impact of removing it. After that inspection, we’ll schedule a public hearing for the next available date.  We hold tree hearings on the first Thursday of the month.

We post all of our upcoming hearings on the public notices section of Boston.gov. We will also post a public hearing notice in the newspaper, and contact you about the hearing date. We post a notice on the tree at least seven days before the hearing, and in two other public places. We hold hearings at our offices at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. We also have information on how to take part in a Parks hearing. 

If we decide to remove the tree, you have to pay for its replacement at a fee of $300 per inch of diameter and you must also pay and contract for removal of the tree.  The replacement money goes into the Fund for Parks and Recreation. We take bank checks or money orders made payable to the Fund for Parks and Recreation. Please note that there is a possibility to recoup this money based on the same $300 per inch formula, the details of which will be outlined at the tree hearing.

You will receive notice of the Tree Warden’s final decision within two weeks after the public hearing. Please remember, if we decide to remove the tree, you need to pay for its removal.

We will usually remove a tree if it’s dead, diseased, or poses a risk to the public. If you want to remove a healthy tree, we need to hold a public hearing. When you make your request, you will need to give us your property’s site plan.

If we decide to remove the tree, you have to pay for its removal. We also charge you a fee of $300* per inch of diameter of the tree.  This money goes into the Fund for Parks and Recreation. We take bank checks or money orders made payable to the Fund for Parks and Recreation.

* There is a possibility to recoup this money based on the same $300 per inch of diameter formula. We outline the details at the tree hearing.

Send a letter that includes the specifics of your request — as well as your property’s site plan — to:

Boston Parks and Recreation Department
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02118

The Tree Warden or another member of the Parks Department will study the site of the tree and the impact of removing it. After that inspection, we’ll schedule a public hearing for the next available date.  We hold tree hearings on the first Thursday of the month.

We post all of our upcoming hearings on the public notices section of Boston.gov. We will also post a public hearing notice in the newspaper, and contact you about the hearing date. We post a notice on the tree at least seven days before the hearing, and in two other public places. We hold hearings at our offices at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. We also have information on how to take part in a Parks hearing. 

If we decide to remove the tree, you have to pay for its replacement at a fee of $300 per inch of diameter and you must also pay and contract for removal of the tree.  The replacement money goes into the Fund for Parks and Recreation. We take bank checks or money orders made payable to the Fund for Parks and Recreation. Please note that there is a possibility to recoup this money based on the same $300 per inch formula, the details of which will be outlined at the tree hearing.

You will receive notice of the Tree Warden’s final decision within two weeks after the public hearing. Please remember, if we decide to remove the tree, you need to pay for its removal.

We will usually remove a tree if it’s dead, diseased, or poses a risk to the public. If you want to remove a healthy tree, we need to hold a public hearing. When you make your request, you will need to give us your property’s site plan.

If we decide to remove the tree, you have to pay for its removal. We also charge you a fee of $300* per inch of diameter of the tree.  This money goes into the Fund for Parks and Recreation. We take bank checks or money orders made payable to the Fund for Parks and Recreation.

* There is a possibility to recoup this money based on the same $300 per inch of diameter formula. We outline the details at the tree hearing.

Submit your property’s site plan and your request to the Boston Parks Commissioner and the Tree Warden at:

Boston Parks and Recreation Department
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02118
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Phone: 617-635-4505

The Tree Warden or another member of the Parks Department will study the site of the tree and the impact of removing it. After that inspection, we’ll schedule a public hearing for the next available date.  We hold tree hearings on the first Thursday of the month.

We post all of our upcoming hearings on the public notices section of Boston.gov. We’ll also post a public hearing notice in the newspaper, and contact you about the hearing date. We post a notice on the tree at least seven days before the hearing, and in two other public places. We hold hearings at our offices at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. We also have information on how to take part in a Parks hearing. 

You’ll receive notice of the Tree Warden’s final decision within two weeks of the public hearing. Please remember, if we decide to remove the tree, you need to pay for its removal.