Tree Service in Andover, MA

Rules and permits

Who decides about trees in Andover

Andover's DPW Forestry crew is responsible for all public shade trees and roadside vegetation (Parks, Grounds and Forestry), and a Select Board policy sets out how town trees are removed and replaced. Private trees near wetlands go through the Conservation Department. Away from wetlands, the town's guidance says trees on private land need no contact with Conservation (tree work and removal information), and we found no separate town permit for them.

Town trees

DPW Forestry, 978-623-8780; emergencies 978-623-3500

Town tree removal

Public hearing; abutters within 50 ft notified 7 days ahead; replaced within 2 years

Wetland-area trees

Within 100 ft of a wetland or 200 ft of a river: ask Conservation, 978-623-8630

Wetland no-disturb

Inner 25 ft no-disturb, inner 50 ft no-build

Brush

Bundles with weekly trash; Bald Hill takes up to 6 in. by 4 ft, no stumps

Town trees. Parks, Grounds and Forestry, at 5 Campanelli Drive, cares for the public shade trees along about 200 miles of road, mows about 75 miles of roadside a year, and takes service requests through Andover Central; its page also links an Andover Trees dashboard (Parks, Grounds and Forestry). The Select Board's Town Tree Removal and Replacement Policy covers trees in parks, open space, public ways and other town land, not conservation or school land, and says they are to be preserved whenever possible. Removal follows the state's public shade tree law; abutters whose property lies within 50 feet of the tree get written notice of the c.87 §3 hearing at least 7 days beforehand. The town then replaces the tree within two years at its own cost, with the Tree Warden choosing the species, size and spot and native species getting first priority, and every removal includes stump grinding, topsoil and seed (Town Tree Removal and Replacement Policy). The town's Tree Committee posts a tree guide and the public tree inventory.

Asking Conservation about a tree. Trees in a wetland or its buffer zone, 100 feet from a wetland or 200 feet from a river or perennial stream, or on town open space, may need the Conservation Department's or Commission's permission. The town's guidance asks for the number and size of the trees, the species, how far they are from buildings, driveways and roads, why they should come down, who owns them (with the owner's written permission if that isn't you) and photos with each tree flagged in bright tape, by email or delivered to 36 Bartlet Street. The answer may be approval, often with conditions such as leaving the stumps, keeping heavy equipment out of the wetland and taking the debris offsite; a full filing with the Commission; a denial, for instance when a tree is unsightly but poses no danger; or a suggestion to consult an arborist. Small jobs such as limbs over a roof may be approved by phone or email (tree work guidance). The Conservation office number is 978-623-8630.

The bylaw behind it. Andover's Wetlands Protection Bylaw treats the whole 100-foot buffer as a protected resource area, makes the inner 25 feet a No-Disturb Area and the inner 50 feet a No-Build Area, and lists vegetation removal as a regulated activity that needs a permit; houses built or permitted on or before January 1, 1999 may qualify for some exemptions (wetlands bylaw fact sheet). The Commission meets the first and third Tuesdays at 7 p.m., filings are due at noon on the Tuesday two weeks before, and legal-ad fees, effective March 1, 2020, are $145 for a Request for Determination and $185 for other applications (wetland permitting information).

Dig Safe. The town's own tree program FAQ tells residents to call Dig Safe at 811 at least 72 hours before digging, even on private property (Deep Roots, New Branches FAQ). State law counts digging, augering and grading as excavation (c.82 §40, c.82 §40A), and Dig Safe suggests the hired contractor place the call (Dig Safe FAQs).

National Grid and the service drop. The state's 2021 electric franchise list shows National Grid serving Andover (electric franchise list). National Grid trims around its high-voltage lines on a cycle; branches near the line to your house are the owner's. Call 1-800-322-3223 at least five days before work near it so the company can assess the job, sleeve the wires or briefly disconnect the service (National Grid trees FAQ).

Last verified November 2026. Fees, restrictions and deadlines on this page are due for re-checking by April 2027. New England Tree Service is a referral service. We don't cut trees, request hearings or file with the conservation commission.