Town of Barnstable, MA Article V Tree Planting Standards

§ 221-20 Listing of trees acceptable for planting.

A. The Tree Warden shall develop and maintain an up-to-date listing of trees considered most desirable for new plantings along streets in the following three size classes based on mature height:

(1) Small (under 20 feet).

(2) Medium (20 to 40 feet).

(3) Large (over 40 feet).

B. Lists of trees not suitable for new plantings will also be developed and maintained current by the Tree Warden.

§ 221-21 Spacing between street trees.

A. Street trees shall be planted on public property no closer together than the following:

(1) Small size class: 20 feet.

(2) Medium size class: 30 feet.

(3) Large size class: 40 feet.

B. An exception may be made to the above spacing for special plantings if authorized by the Tree Warden.

§ 221-22 Planting near curbs and sidewalks.

A. Street trees may be planted on public property no closer to any curb or sidewalk than the following:

(1) Small size class: two feet.

(2) Medium size class: three feet.

(3) Large size class: four feet.

B. An exception may be made to the above spacings for special plantings if authorized by the Tree Warden.

§ 221-23 Planting near street corners and fire hydrants.

No tree shall be planted on public property to obstruct visual clearance of any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curblines nor within 10 feet of any fire hydrant.

§ 221-24 Planting near overhead utilities.

No tree other than those species listed as small trees in § 221-20 of this chapter, or trees with a columnar form, may be planted on public property under or within 10 feet of any overhead utility wire, except where authorized by the Tree Warden.

§ 221-25 Power of Town to plant, maintain and remove trees and shrubs.

The Town shall have the right to plant, maintain, and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the lines of all Town-owned streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and other public property that may be necessary to insure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public property.

§ 221-26 Installation of tree lights.

A. With the approval of the Town Manager and the Tree Warden, decorative lights may be installed in Town-owned trees on public property for periods which will not interfere with the proper growth and maintenance of the trees and when the occasion for the lights is deemed appropriate.

B. Unless otherwise authorized, holiday lights shall be installed no earlier than November 1 and removed no later than March 15.