Section 9. Whoever affixes to a tree in a public way or place a notice, sign, advertisement or other thing, whether in writing or otherwise, or cuts, paints or marks such tree, except for the purpose of protecting it or the public and under a written permit from the officer having the charge of such trees in a city or from the tree warden in a town, or from the department in the case of a state highway, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars. Tree wardens shall enforce the provisions of this section; but if a tree warden fails to act in the case of a state highway within thirty days after the receipt by him of a complaint in writing from the department, the department may proceed to enforce this section.
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