Before You Cut That Tree...Find out who owns it!

Tree Engineer, Dean Cawthra, Parks and Rec. Department 203-924-1555 Ext. 349

Homeowners sometimes assume they own all the land between their house and the road. They are not aware the the City's right-of-way may extend ten feet or more onto their lawn. Connecticut state law, chapter 451, sec. 23-65 demands "any person, firm or corporation, other than a tree warden who removes, prunes, injures or defaces any shrub or ornamental or shade tree, within the limits of a public way or grounds, without legal right or written permission of the town tree warden, shall be fined not more than the appraised value of the shrub or tree and shall be liable civilly for damages." To locate the line where your land ends and the City's property starts, call the Tree Warden, Dean Cawthra, at Park and Recreation.

If the tree, or brush, you want to cut is within 100 feet of any stream, river, lake or wetlands, you may need to get a permit. Get in touch with the Inland Wetland Commission.