Thank you for a great season! see you next spring!
The Parks & Forestry Division is currently planting 2020 & 2021 tree requests.
Parks & Forestry will look at all tree planting requests in the fall of 2021.
As of 4/23/2021
Street Beautification Program - Tree Planting Location Guidelines
From the time of the settlers the value and benefits of trees have been a high importance. Needham is a designated "Tree City USA" It’s modern day tree planting records go back to 1938. The tree planting program was established to replace trees that have been removed and to expand the planting of trees throughout Needham. The program is based on placing the right tree in the right place. Trees are placed within the grass plot between the sidewalk and roadway and also on private property behind the sidewalks. The tree placement takes into consideration the tree’s size and branching at maturity. The following guidelines* are an outline of the factors that are considered in tree placement.
Tree placement will consider the following:
- 6 to 9 feet from sidewalks for setback plantings
- 30 to 35 feet from existing trees
- At least 10 feet from driveways, wheelchair ramps, and fire hydrants
- No closer than 5 feet behind or 10 feet in front of signs
- At least 5 feet from underground utility lines
- At least 10 feet from street lights, farther for larger trees
- At least 15 feet from storm drains
- At least 30 feet from intersections
- Adequate distance from existing vegetation on abutting property to avoid affecting growth habits
- Will not plant trees near building foundations or walls
- All tree lawn (utility strip) and tree pit plantings should include at least a four-foot wide planting area.
- The natural spread of tree roots will be considered when selecting a site
The time required for trees to regain a pre-transplanting growth rate is approximately one year for each one-inch caliper.
Please Note: It often takes up to a full year to fulfill a community tree planting request, given the planning and preparation needed for each tree planting. Once your application is submitted, the Town will communicate with you. Follow-up phone calls are not necessary. Thank you for your understanding!
To submit a tree planting request to the Forestry Department please use our preferred Tree Planting Request - Digital Form or you can Download the Tree Planting Request Form (PDF), print and mail the form directly to the Parks & Forestry Department.
Ref: Massachusetts DCR Urban and Community Forestry Program
