Section 12. Whoever wantonly injures, defaces or destroys a shrub, plant or tree, or fixture of ornament or utility, in a public way or place or in any public enclosure, or negligently or wilfully suffers an animal driven by or for him or belonging to him to injure, deface or destroy such shrub, plant, tree or fixture, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, and shall in addition thereto be liable to the town or any person for all damages to its or his interest in said shrub, plant, tree or fixture caused by such act. Whoever by any other means negligently or wilfully injures, defaces or destroys such a shrub, plant, tree or fixture shall likewise be liable to the town or any person for all damages to its or his interest in said shrub, plant, tree or fixture caused by such act.
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