Tree By-law
Brookline has a sizable urban forest made up of thousands of trees that filter out pollutants and clean our air, that reduce our energy costs by providing shade and protection from the wind, and that help reduce the stress and strain of urban living by reducing noise and providing us with natural beauty. There are over 11,000 street trees on public land that are managed by the Town, but the vast majority of our trees are found on private property.
Currently protection for trees on private property is limited to enforcement under the Storm Water Bylaw. Payment into the Tree Fund allows for removal of trees meeting the requirements of protection. More information here. Draft of a Tree Preservation bylaw Warrant Artice being prepared for Fall 2022 Town Meeting here. Proposed action to preserve trees on private property can be found here.