Provincetown Tree Bylaw
Provincetown General Bylaw Chapter 16, titled “Trees,” is intended to dovetail Ch. 87, create clear standards for tree preservation in town, and establish procedures for tree protection.
The bylaw applies to “public shade trees,” the subject of Ch. 87, and also to the broader category of “town trees,” defined as any tree in a public park or other place owned, controlled or leased by the town except trees on conservation lands managed by, or resource areas under the jurisdiction of, the town’s Conservation Commission. The bylaw does not apply to trees on private property other than public shade trees.
Mirroring Ch. 87, the bylaw applies to planting trees in addition to preserving and protecting them. It requires a permit for planting town trees and trees in public ways and for cutting, trimming or removing them. For removal of public shade trees, a public hearing is required.
To read Provincetown’s tree bylaw in full, go to LINK.
Bylaw Provisions Tailored to Provincetown’s Community Goals
The tree bylaw requires coordination between town regulators and the Tree Warden if any public shade tree or town tree may be impacted by construction, demolition or excavation activities under their jurisdiction. It also requires coordination by the Planning Board with the Tree Warden for projects that require Board Site Plan Review or Special Permit.
The bylaw prohibits topping or stubbing tree branches, girdling tree trunks, cutting or poisoning tree roots, excessive pruning, and pollarding a tree if done by anyone other than a certified arborist. For any public shade tree or town tree that is removed, the bylaw requires replacement plantings subject to the approval of the Tree Warden.
Provincetown General Bylaw Chapter 16, titled “Trees,” is intended to dovetail Ch. 87, create clear standards for tree preservation in town, and establish procedures for tree protection.
The bylaw applies to “public shade trees,” the subject of Ch. 87, and also to the broader category of “town trees,” defined as any tree in a public park or other place owned, controlled or leased by the town except trees on conservation lands managed by, or resource areas under the jurisdiction of, the town’s Conservation Commission. The bylaw does not apply to trees on private property other than public shade trees.
Mirroring Ch. 87, the bylaw applies to planting trees in addition to preserving and protecting them. It requires a permit for planting town trees and trees in public ways and for cutting, trimming or removing them. For removal of public shade trees, a public hearing is required.
To read Provincetown’s tree bylaw in full, go to LINK.
Bylaw Provisions Tailored to Provincetown’s Community Goals
The tree bylaw requires coordination between town regulators and the Tree Warden if any public shade tree or town tree may be impacted by construction, demolition or excavation activities under their jurisdiction. It also requires coordination by the Planning Board with the Tree Warden for projects that require Board Site Plan Review or Special Permit.
The bylaw prohibits topping or stubbing tree branches, girdling tree trunks, cutting or poisoning tree roots, excessive pruning, and pollarding a tree if done by anyone other than a certified arborist. For any public shade tree or town tree that is removed, the bylaw requires replacement plantings subject to the approval of the Tree Warden.