Frequently Asked Questions

For a tree on your own property, Worcester's Public Tree Protection Ordinance does not regulate it. For a public shade tree, which generally means trees along the sidewalk and street, cutting, trimming or removal needs the tree warden's written approval first, and the ordinance sets fines of up to $300 per offense. Work near wetlands or streams can also involve the Conservation Commission, so mention any water nearby when you call.

Usually the city. Worcester's Parks Department says it cares for and removes city-owned trees, generally those on the sidewalk along a street and on city property, while trees on private property or private streets are the owner's responsibility. If you are not sure, call Forestry at 508-929-1300, or ask for a safety inspection of a street tree through 311.

Yes. As of the state's September 2026 announcement, the regulated area is the City of Worcester, Boylston, West Boylston and part of Auburn, about 75.75 square miles. Holden and Shrewsbury have been released. Firewood, brush and logs from host trees should not be moved out of the zone without the proper permit or a company working under a compliance agreement.

National cost guides put a typical removal between about $385 and $1,070, with very large trees reaching $2,000 or more, and tree trimming around $255 to $655. On Worcester lots, access, wires and how many pieces must be lowered by rope move the price more than height alone. We give a written price after seeing the tree.

National Grid is responsible for trimming around its high-voltage lines. Branches near the low-voltage service drop to your house are the homeowner's responsibility, and National Grid can put sleeves on the wire or disconnect service if you call 1-800-322-3223 at least five days ahead. If a tree or limb is on a wire, stay away and call National Grid first.

Yes, if you are a Worcester resident with ID. The Millbury Street, Chandler Street and Clark Street sites are open April through November, and only Millbury Street takes large limbs, up to 8 inches thick and 8 feet long. Stumps and commercial yard waste are not accepted, so material from a hired job is handled by the tree company.

Ask a few questions before you hire anyone: will they check whether the tree is city-owned, how will they handle wood and brush inside the beetle zone, and does the written quote list cleanup and the stump? The state also suggests confirming that a company has an ALB compliance agreement. Ask any company for a current insurance certificate sent from the insurer.

Look for perfectly round exit holes about the size of a dime, shallow oval pits chewed in the bark where eggs were laid, sawdust-like frass at the base or in branch crotches, and sap weeping from wounds. If you see any of them, report it to the ALB hotline at 1-866-702-9938 before anyone cuts the tree.

National guides put most removals between about $385 and $1,070, with trees over 80 feet reaching $2,000 or more and maples often running higher than average because of their size. Lots where every piece must be lowered and carried out by hand cost more. We price each tree in writing after seeing it.

Worcester's tree ordinance covers public shade trees and park trees, not trees on private property. If the tree is near wetlands, a stream or a pond, ask the Conservation Commission first. If you rent, the property owner decides.

Yes. The city says homeowners may use wood from trees cut on their own property as firewood after checking it for beetle signs. What you should not do is move that wood out of the quarantine zone. Infested wood is handled by the ALB program.

Only the owner can approve removing the whole tree. You can talk to your neighbor about it, and we are happy to look at it and give both of you a written assessment and quote.

Often. Dead wood breaks less predictably, so a climber may not be able to tie into it safely and more of the work may be done from a lift. Dead ash is the most common example in Worcester right now.

For most shade trees, late fall through early spring while they are dormant. Prune oaks only in the dormant season to avoid attracting the beetles that spread oak wilt, and prune cherries and other spring bloomers right after they flower. Dead or broken limbs can come out any time.

National guides put typical tree trimming at about $255 to $655, with trees over 30 feet often between about $316 and $1,104. A big maple over a three-decker roof is usually at the upper end. We price the specific cuts in writing.

Branches near the service wire to your house are your responsibility, and we can prune them, sometimes after National Grid sleeves or disconnects the wire, which takes at least five days' notice. Branches near the high-voltage lines on the poles are National Grid's job.

It helps. Removing deadwood, shortening long limbs over the house and correcting weak forks reduces how much weight the tree carries and where it can fail. Nothing makes a tree storm-proof, but the December 2008 ice storm showed which trees break first.

Not without the tree warden's written approval. Worcester's ordinance limits work on public shade trees to the tree warden, the city's crews and contractors, or an ISA-certified arborist the warden authorizes. Call 311 to ask for an inspection.

National guides put most stumps between about $140 and $525, with an average near $331. Wide stumps, rocky ground, steep yards and narrow gates push it higher, and grinding several stumps in one visit often lowers the price per stump.

For lawn, grinding a few inches below grade is usually enough to cover with soil and seed. If you plan to put a patio, shed or garden bed there, tell us, and we will plan to go deeper where the ground allows.

Massachusetts Dig Safe asks for notice at least 72 business hours before excavation, with the area premarked in white, and says to call 811 if you are unsure whether your project counts. Because grinding goes below the surface, we plan for a ticket.

No. Worcester's yard waste sites do not accept tree stumps. Grinding on site turns the stump into chips you can use as mulch.

Some trees, such as Norway maple, cherry and tree of heaven, send up sprouts from the stump or roots. Grinding below grade removes most of the sprouting tissue; any sprouts that appear later can be cut or ground again.

Get everyone out of the affected rooms, stay away from any wires, and call National Grid if a line is involved. Take photos, call your insurer, and call (508) 731-3691 to leave details. Do not climb onto the roof or try to cut the tree yourself.

National guides put emergency removals, such as a tree on a roof or power line, at about $450 to $3,000, with simple fallen-tree cleanup from about $90 to $300. Cost depends on what the tree is resting on and how it has to be lifted off.

It depends on the policy and on what the tree hit. Many policies cover removal when a tree damages a covered structure, and fewer cover a tree that fell in the open yard. Ask your insurer, and keep the itemized quote and photos.

If it is a city tree, report it through 311 or call Forestry at 508-929-1300. If it fell onto your property, we can remove the part on your side once the city or National Grid has dealt with any public portion or wires.

You can call any time to leave details. Work in the dark on a damaged tree is only done when waiting would be more dangerous, such as an open roof in freezing weather; otherwise the tree is made as safe as possible and removed in daylight.

Call the ALB hotline at 1-866-702-9938. The eradication program inspects suspect trees and removes infested ones. Do not cut or move the tree's wood before they have looked at it.

Sometimes. Ash trees that are still mostly healthy can be protected with insecticide injections applied by a licensed applicator, and published guides put tree injections at about $50 to $250 per tree. Ash with heavy dieback usually cannot be saved and becomes brittle quickly.

That is the classic first sign of beech leaf disease, which has been confirmed in every Massachusetts county. There is no cure yet; affected trees decline over several years. An assessment helps decide whether a beech near the house should be monitored or removed.

Warning signs include dead branches in the crown, cracks or splits in the trunk, mushrooms or conks at the base, a new lean with lifted soil, and large cavities. If a tree with any of these stands over your house, driveway or a play area, have it looked at.

Looking at a tree as part of an estimate for pruning or removal is free. A detailed written report, which national guides price from about $250 to $700, is quoted separately if you want one.

National guides put tree cabling at about $150 to $450, with averages around $200 to $400 and larger trees at $400 or more. Rods through a split and added pruning are priced as part of the same written quote.

It greatly reduces the chance by limiting how far the stems can move apart, but no support system makes a tree failure-proof. It works best on sound wood combined with pruning to cut the load.

Properly installed hardware can stay in service for many years, but it needs periodic inspection and adjustment as the tree grows. Check after any major ice storm or wind event.

Sometimes. If the split is fresh, the wood is sound and the tree is valuable, through-rods and a cable can hold it. If the split has opened wide, has decay, or runs into the base, removal is usually safer.