What is a Tree Warden?

A tree warden is the person in charge of shade trees along public ways in towns and cities. The word “warden” was a common title for natural resource officials in the late 1800s. Being a warden signified a unique legal responsibility: to guard public resources against destructive forces that might include persons, insects, or diseases.

Since 1899, Massachusetts General Law has mandated that all cities and towns in the Commonwealth have a tree warden. The tree warden mandate is still in effect today under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 1 and Section 106. To learn more about the duties and responsibilities of a Tree Warden, please visit Massachusetts Tree Wardens & Foresters Association.

Duties of the Tree Warden include, but are not limited to:

• Pruning trees
• Removing trees that are dead or dying
• Identifying appropriate planting sites
• Planting new trees
• Assessing trees for risk
• Conducting public meetings and tree hearings
• Writing grant proposals

In Colrain, the Tree Warden is appointed by the Select Board for a three-year term.