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Front Yard Tree Planting Program
HOW IT WORKS: AN EASY 5-STEP PROCESS!
- Submit a Front Yard Tree Application Apply online or Download a hard copy of the application and mail it to Town Hall, Parks & Open Space Division, 333 Washington St., Brookline MA 02445.
- A Tree Planting Committee member will contact you and discuss site logistics, appropriate species for the site, and any preferences you may have.
- The Tree Planting Committee and Tree Warden will make a final determination and inform you of their decision. You will be asked to sign a "Front Yard Tree Planting Program Agreement" which outlines details regarding tree ownership and maintenance.
- The Tree Warden will contact DigSafe to ensure there are no underground utilities in the proposed planting location.
- Town staff will order the tree, schedule planting, and conduct the planting at no cost to you!
SUMMARY
The Tree Warden and Tree Planting Committee work with residents to identify suitable locations for planting and can recommend an appropriate tree for your front or side yard. If your site is a good candidate for this program, the Town will provide the tree and plant it at no cost to you. Please note that the tree must be completely visible from the street and planted within 20 feet of the sidewalk. The tree will be owned and maintained by the Town for the first five years after planting, and then relinquished to the homeowner’s care and ownership.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Tree Planting Committee oversees the "Front Yard Tree Planting Program" program (formerly known as the Back of Sidewalk Tree Planting Program), which aims to enhance Brookline’s urban canopy by planting trees on private property within 20 feet of the public right of way. Through this successful program which began in the 1930s, over 11,000 street trees have been planted in Brookline. Private land generally provides a more conducive environment for tree growth than the public way, as private property is less susceptible to urban stressors such as de-icing salt, foot traffic, and pet waste.
The purpose of the Front Yard Tree Planting Program is to:
- Expand the diversity of the urban forest to enhance the resiliency of the urban canopy;
- Increase the number of trees contributing to and benefiting Brookline’s streetscapes;
- Utilize land near the public way that is more conducive to tree growth than the public way itself.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in the Front Yard Tree Planting Program, we ask that you please fill out a Front Yard Tree Application. You can either:
- Apply Online, or
- Download a hard copy of the application, print it and return it to:
Tom Brady, Tree Warden
Brookline Parks and Open Space Division
333 Washington Street
Brookline, MA 02445Or via email to [email protected].
Once you have submitted the application, a member of the Tree Planting Committee will contact you to review the site and discuss any species preferences you may have. The Tree Planting Committee and Tree Warden will review your request at their upcoming quarterly Tree Planting Committee meeting. If the proposed site appears suitable for tree planting, you will be asked to complete a Front Yard Tree Planting Program Agreement. The Town will then contact DigSafe to conduct an assessment and ensure that there are no underground utilities in the proposed location.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, and planting typically takes place in Spring (April – June) and Fall (September – November). The planting schedule is dependent on seasonal conditions, crew schedule, and plant availability.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
To apply for this Program, you must:
- Be a Brookline resident
- Live on/adjacent to a Town-owned public right of way
- Have sufficient space to plant a tree within 20 feet of the sidewalk
If you meet all of the above criteria, you are eligible to apply! Front Yard Trees can be planted on a variety of different properties, including single-family and multi-family homes, condominiums, commercial, and houses of worship. Because this program serves primarily to enhance the streetscape, the tree must be completely visible from the street and planted within 20 feet of the sidewalk.
SITE SUITABILITY
The Tree Planting Committee considers the following criteria when determining site suitability:
- Site topography and soil conditions
- Soil volume
- Lot size in relationship to the building footprint
- Existing trees/plantings
- Sunlight availability
- Underground utilities
If you would like a front yard tree, but are uncertain if your property is suitable, we encourage you to apply regardless! Our Tree Planting Committee will be happy to review your site and provide species suggestions.
TREE SPECIES
Below is a representative list of species that are usually available. Please note that each year's available species are dependent upon the Town's purchased nursery stock. We encourage you to contact the Tree Planting Committee if you are interested in a particular species not included in the list below. The UCONN Plant Database is a great resource to learn more about particular trees.
Small Trees (Less Than 30' Tall)
- Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
- Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana)
- Autumnalis Higan Cherry (Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis')
- Okame Cherry (Prunus x incam 'Okame')
- Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
- Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
- Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan')
- Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)
- Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
- Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
- Hedge Maple (Acer campestre)
- Crabapple (Malus ssp.)
- Flowering Dogwood (disease resistant variety) (Cornus florida)
Medium Trees (30-50' Tall)
- Japanese Pagoda Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum)
- Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
- Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata)
- Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)
- Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
- River Birch (Betula nigra)
- Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)
- Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
- Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
- Three Flower Maple (Acer triflorum)
Large Trees (Greater Than 50' Tall)
- Ginkgo (Male) (Ginkgo biloba)
- American Elm (Ulmus Americana)
- London Planetree (Platanus × acerifolia)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)
- Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
- Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
- Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- Silver Linden (Tilia tomentosa)
- Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima)
- Can I have a “Front Yard” tree planted anywhere on my property?
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The Town can plant within 20 feet of the public right of way, in the front- and/or side-yards of your property. The chief purpose of the program is to increase the number and diversity of trees contributing to and benefiting Brookline’s streetscapes. Please note that the tree must be completely visible from the street.
- What does the application process look like?
-
If you are interested in the Front Yard Tree Planting Program, we ask that you please fill out a Front Yard Tree Application. You can either apply online, or you can download a hard copy of the application and return it to:
Tom Brady, Tree Warden
Brookline Parks and Open Space Division
333 Washington Street
Brookline, MA 02445Or via email to [email protected]
Once you have submitted the application, a member of the Tree Planting Committee will contact you to review the site and discuss any species preferences you may have. The Tree Planting Committee and Tree Warden will review your request at their upcoming quarterly Tree Planting Committee meeting. If the proposed site appears suitable for tree planting, you will be asked to complete a Front Yard Tree Planting Program Agreement. The Town will then contact DigSafe to conduct an assessment and ensure that there are no underground utilities in the proposed location.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, and planting typically takes place in Spring (April – June) and Fall (September – November). The planting schedule is dependent on seasonal conditions, crew schedule, and plant availability.
- What kind of trees are available? Can I choose what species of tree is planted?
-
Each year, the Town has several varieties of shade and ornamental trees available for planting through the Front Yard Tree Planting Program. The availability of particular species is dependent on nursery stock. If you have a preference of species for your Front Yard tree, please let us know in the Application (there is a representative list of species available for view under the previous tab called "Example Tree Species"). If the proposed site is conducive to tree planting, we will do our best to accommodate your request or work with you to determine an appropriate species for the specific site.
- What is the cost to the homeowner?
-
The Town will provide the tree and plant it at no cost to the homeowner. The tree will be owned and maintained by the Town for the first five years after planting, and then relinquished to the homeowner’s care and ownership.
- How many “Front Yard” trees can I request?
-
You can request as many trees as is suitable for your specific site (however all trees must be within 20 feet of the public way and completely visible from the street).
- What are the deciding factors for site suitability?
-
Factors considered for site suitability include: site topography, soil volume, the availability of space (in regards to buildings and existing trees/plantings), sunlight availability, underground utilities, et cetera.
- I just had a “Front Yard” tree planted on my property! How can I care for my tree?
-
Congratulations on your new tree, and thank you for helping us enhance Brookline’s urban forest!
To help your new tree thrive, there are several things you can do:
- During the first two years, your tree will be expending a lot of energy trying to get its roots established in the soil. You can help make this easier by watering your tree regularly. From late spring until early December, water your tree slowly once or twice per week to keep its roots moist. A newly planted tree will need 15-20 gallons of water per week. As a rule of thumb, your tree’s soil should be moist at 2” below the ground. Dig down 2” and touch your finger to the soil; if the soil is moist to the touch, then the tree does NOT need water.
- You can also add a 3-inch layer of loose, coarse mulch at least 3 inches from the tree trunk of your tree. Please be mindful not to add too much mulch (4 inches or more), as this will exclude oxygen from the soil.
- Keep pet urine and feces away from the tree’s roots.
So you just had a “Front Yard” tree planted on your property?
First, congratulations on your new tree, and thank you for helping us enhance Brookline’s urban forest!
To help your new tree thrive, there are several things you can do:
- During the first two years, your tree will be expending a lot of energy trying to get its roots established in the soil. You can help make this easier by watering your tree regularly. From late spring until early December, water your tree slowly once or twice per week to keep its roots moist. A newly planted tree will need 15-20 gallons of water per week. As a rule of thumb, your tree’s soil should be moist at 2” below the ground. Dig down 2” and touch your finger to the soil; if the soil is moist to the touch, then the tree does NOT need water.
- You can also add a 3-inch layer of loose, coarse mulch at least 3 inches from the tree trunk of your tree. Please be mindful not to add too much mulch (4 inches or more), as this will exclude oxygen from the soil.
- Keep pet urine and feces away from the tree’s roots.
As explained in the Front Yard Tree Agreement, the tree will be considered Town property for the first five years after planting. During this time, if the front yard tree is damaged, in poor condition or requires general maintenance (ie. pruning), please submit a service request online via BrookOnline. Alternatively, you may contact the Parks and Open Space Division at (617) 730-2088 or [email protected].
Caring for trees you own
Once the tree transfers to your ownership (5 years post-planting), we encourage you to continue providing care and maintenance for the health and wellbeing of your tree! You can follow this link for private tree care information and resources. While the Town of Brookline DOES NOT RECOMMEND particular arborists or companies, we offer this list of arborists and companies which contains several companies which have the required insurance and necessary experience to perform work on private trees. Residents may wish to seek the assistance of a Massachusetts Certified Arborist (MCA) or an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The listed tree organizations may also provide additional useful information.
"Since a tree on a narrow sidewalk when well grown becomes an obstruction to pedestrians, the planting of shade trees on private land a short distance from the sidewalk is of value in a town like Brookline, and it is so recognized by a special act permitting such planting." - Emma Cummings, Tree Planting Committee Member (1938)
Town of Brookline Website