Section 1. All trees within a public way or on the boundaries thereof including trees planted in accordance with the provisions of section 7 shall be public shade trees; and when it appears in any proceeding in which the ownership of or rights in a tree are material to the issue, that, from length of time or otherwise, the boundaries of the highway cannot be made certain by records or monuments, and that for that reason it is doubtful whether the tree is within the highway, it shall be taken to be within the highway and to be public property until the contrary is shown.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title XIV - Public Ways and Works
Section 1 - Public Shade Trees; Definition
Section 2 - Powers of Tree Wardens
Section 3 - Cutting of Public Shade Trees; Public Hearing; Damages to Fee Owner
Section 4 - Cutting Down or Removing Public Shade Trees; Approval of Selectmen or Mayor
Section 5 - Cutting Down, Trimming or Removing Bushes and Small Trees
Section 6 - Penalty for Violation of Sec. 3, 4 or 5
Section 7 - Planting of Shade Trees
Section 8 - Trees on State Highways
Section 9 - Signs or Marks on Shade Trees
Section 10 - Injury to Trees on State Highways
Section 11 - Injury to Trees of Another Person
Section 12 - Injury to Shrubs, Trees or Fixtures