TREE-RELATED REQUESTS
To request the planting of a tree, get help with evaluating a street tree, or to report a damaged tree, visit the Town’s Request/Answer Center. You will need to create an account, if you don’t already have one.
To request the removal of a tree, please read about the process first, then visit the Town’s Request/Answer Center to place your request.
To contact the Tree Warden’s office: 781-316-3311
LINKS TO TOWN AND STATE INFORMATION
State laws pertaining to trees
SCHEDULE OF TOWN’S TREE-RELATED ACTIVITIES
All Year: Prompt removal of damaged or fallen trees that block public thoroughfares or otherwise endanger the public takes precedence over any other tree-related activity.
February: Tree Division orders approximately 100 new street trees which are shipped as bare-root saplings.
Mid-April: Trees are delivered to Mount Pleasant Cemetery and “heeled in” until planted. (Adopt-A-Tree residents who have ordered trees can pick them up for planting.)
Late April: Town crews have approximately two weeks to plant about 100 trees before the trees leaf out in May.
Late May/Early June: Tree Division assesses street trees and decides which individual trees should be removed because they are dead, diseased, or pose a public hazard. Tree Division posts a removal notice on each tree; neighbors have chance to respond.
Year-Round: Crews remove dangerous or unhealthy street trees and tree limbs.
TREE INVENTORY AND VALUATION
A study was undertaken in 1998 by the Town of Arlington with the guidance of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management to assess the condition and to valuate the Town’s trees. The results of this study are highlighted below:
- The total estimated value of Arlington’s trees was $60,826,000.
- The estimated 24,500 trees within 20 ft of the curb that were owned or controlled by the Town of Arlington represented 69 species.
- The most common species was Norway Maple (40.8%), followed by Black Oak (5.1%), Hemlock (4.2%), and Arborvitae (4.0%).
- 44.2% of all Arlington trees were in fair to poor condition.
Read the entire 1998 study here.
