Tree Care Specification For Parks, Playgrounds and Schools

To see the Cambridge Tree Handbook
Return to Cambridge Tree Project Homepage.
Return to Other Ordinance page
To see other examples of tree policies

All pruning of trees and shrubs in City Parks, Playgrounds and Schools shall be carried out by companies with Massachusetts or International Certified Arborists on staff.  All work shall follow the attached Pruning Guidelines for Landscape Trees.

MULCHING

A six foot diameter circle around the base of each tree shall be worked to a depth of three inches, care being taken not to damage structural roots one inch diameter or greater.  A three-inch thick layer of aged wood chips shall be laid down and renewed each spring.  No volcano mulching or mounding of mulching on the tree trunk will be allowed.

PRUNING

Each year branches lower than eight feet from the ground shall be removed to provide clearance and dead wood larger than one inch in diameter removed in accordance with Pruning Guidelines.  Shrubs shall be thinned every two years.  Leggy shrubs shall be tipped back when necessary.  All pruning shall take place in the dormant season.  Trees in Parks, Playgrounds and Schools shall be pruned every six years.  Crowns shall be cleaned and thinned in accordance with Pruning Guidelines. Young trees shall be trained.

TREE PROTECTION DURING MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS

Public trees are protected by Massachusetts State Law Chapter 87.  Section 12 states that a fine of up to five-hundred dollars per incident of damage to public shade trees can be levied. Each branch broken or improperly pruned, each improper wounding of trunks by trucks or equipment including weed whips and each incident of trucks under drip lines of trees shall constitute an infraction.

During mowing, weeding, seeding, aerating, trash pick-up, or any other maintenance operation contractors shall use the utmost care to avoid unnecessarily or improperly injuring public trees. No trucks or heavy equipment shall be allowed under the drip line of trees.

Return to Cambridge Tree Project Homepage.
Return to Other Ordinance page