A town with a written tree policy

Tree Service in Southborough, MA

Reservoir woods, three villages and clear rules for roadside trees.

No-cost estimates at your property in Worcester and Central Massachusetts
Quotes in writing, broken out per tree
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Southborough's Tree Policy, Explained

Tree Service in Southborough works alongside one of the more detailed public tree policies in the area. The town's Public Shade Tree Policy covers trees in or on the boundary of public rights-of-way. The Select Board acts as Tree Warden, with a Tree Warden Designee handling the day-to-day work. A request to remove a public shade tree is logged and evaluated within 30 days, and a living tree needs an arborist's evaluation and a tree risk assessment.

Hearings, timing and replacement

Removal requests go to the Select Board, and to the Planning Board as well if the road is designated scenic. Notices list each tree's location, species, diameter, height and the reason for removal, and are posted online, at the Town House and on the trees themselves, though not nailed to living trees. Work on public trees is generally done between October 1 and April 1, except for imminent hazards. For each living tree removed through a hearing, at least one replacement tree of at least three-inch caliper must be planted.

Utilities and topping

The policy requires utilities to submit annual vegetation or hazard tree plans and give the town at least 30 days' written notice before starting work. It prohibits topping, excessive pruning and girdling of public trees. If a utility crew has marked a roadside tree in front of your house, those rules apply.

Your own trees

None of that applies to trees on your property away from the road. That's where most of our Southborough work happens: big shade trees near the house, dead trees at the edge of the woods and storm damage.

Reservoir and open space

The Sudbury Reservoir floods about a tenth of Southborough's area, and open space made up 35% of the town's land use as of 2021. Many lots back up to watershed land or conservation woods. The town has three villages: Cordaville, Fayville and Southville. The 1953 tornado's path ended near the town line, and three people were killed in Southborough.

Wood and brush

We chip brush on site and can haul it away or leave it for mulch. Logs can be cut and stacked for firewood. Southborough is outside the Asian longhorned beetle regulated area, and ash wood is covered by the statewide emerald ash borer quarantine, so it should be burned locally.

Southborough jobs

Pruning large shade trees on private property
Removing hazard trees near houses and driveways
Stump grinding
Storm cleanup
Planning work around wetland or watershed boundaries

Call (508) 731-3691 or use the form. If a tree may be a public shade tree, we'll help you figure out whether the town's process applies first. Get a free estimate

Southborough Rules and Profile

Select Board as Tree Warden. Under the town's Public Shade Tree Policy, the Select Board is the Tree Warden, and a Tree Warden Designee evaluates removal requests within 30 days.
Seasonal window. Public tree work generally takes place between October 1 and April 1 unless there's an imminent hazard.
Replacement rule. At least one replacement tree of at least three-inch caliper must be planted for each living public tree removed through a hearing.
Utility notice. Utilities must submit annual vegetation or hazard tree plans and give at least 30 days' written notice before starting work.
Reservoir town. The Sudbury Reservoir floods about one-tenth of the town, and open space made up 35% of land use as of 2021.

Our Services in Southborough, MA

Southborough Questions

Can the town remove the tree in front of my house?

If it's a public shade tree, you can request removal through the town's process. It is evaluated within 30 days and may need a hearing. Living trees need an arborist evaluation and risk assessment.

When does the town do public tree work?

Generally between October 1 and April 1, unless there is an imminent hazard.

My tree is in my backyard. Do I need the town's permission?

Not under the shade tree policy, which applies to trees in or on the boundary of the public way. Wetland or conservation rules may apply near water, so check before cutting near a wetland.

A utility crew marked a tree on my road. What happens?

Under the town's policy, utilities must file annual plans and give the town 30 days' written notice before work. You can contact the Tree Warden Designee with questions.

Does the town's tree policy prohibit topping private trees?

The policy's ban on topping applies to public shade trees. On private trees, topping is still a bad idea: it leaves large wounds and weakly attached new growth. Crown reduction pruning is a better alternative.

Free Estimates in Southborough, MA

Free written estimates in Cordaville, Fayville, Southville and across Southborough.

Call (508) 731-3691 Free Estimate