Section 8. The department of highways, in this chapter called the department, shall have the care and control of all trees, shrubs and growths within state highways, and may trim, cut or remove such trees, shrubs and growths, or license the trimming, cutting or removal thereof. No such tree, shrub or other growth shall be trimmed, cut or removed by any person other than an agent or employee of the department, even if he be the owner of the fee in the land on which such tree, shrub or growth is situated, except upon a permit in writing from the department. Any person injured in his property by the action of the department as to the trimming, cutting, removal or retention of any such tree, shrub or other growth, may recover the damages, if any, which he has sustained, from the commonwealth under chapter seventy-nine.
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