Wellesley is not a blanket removal ordinance
Wellesley’s tree bylaw is tied to specific demolition and development triggers rather than every private-tree removal. In practice, the bylaw is activated when a project crosses certain thresholds, such as demolition, new construction on a vacant lot, major footprint expansion, or a retaining-wall trigger.
What counts as a protected tree
- In Wellesley, the core protected-tree threshold is 10 inches DBH.
- On single-residence and general-residence lots, protection is tied to the Tree Yard, not automatically the whole parcel.
- On multifamily, business, and industrial properties, protected trees are generally captured more broadly across the site.
That distinction matters. A quick removal count is not enough in Wellesley unless you understand whether the tree sits inside the regulated Tree Yard.
What the town expects when the bylaw is triggered
- A Base Tree Protection and Mitigation Plan submitted with the building or demolition application.
- Location, DBH, height, and species for all Protected Trees, plus any Protected Trees removed within the prior 12 months.
- Existing and proposed improvements, property boundaries, easements, rights-of-way, and the Tree Yard where applicable.
- A plan drawn to scale and prepared for filing at the standards described in the rules.
If trees are being retained
- The plan needs to show the Critical Root Zone, drip line, and Tree Save Area for retained protected trees.
- The plan also needs to specify the tree-protection measures to be installed.
- Before construction starts, Wellesley requires written documentation from a Certified Arborist confirming the Tree Save Area has been installed correctly.
- If work encroaches into the CRZ, the town expects a maintenance plan for the affected retained trees.
If trees are being removed
- Replanting credit is based on 0.5 inches of new tree caliper for every 1 inch DBH removed.
- Each replacement tree must be at least 2-inch caliper.
- If an overstory tree is removed, it must be replaced with an overstory tree species.
- Alternatively, some or all mitigation can be satisfied through a Tree Bank contribution.
Wellesley’s published contribution schedule escalates by total DBH removed:
- 20 inches DBH and less: $150 per inch
- Greater than 20 inches and up to 75 inches: $150 per inch for the first 20 inches, then $250 per inch thereafter
- Greater than 75 inches: same structure, then $400 per inch above 75 inches
Where Wellesley files usually get messy
Projects tend to go sideways when applicants assume Wellesley works like a simple removal permit. It does not. The bylaw is plan-driven, tied to project trigger conditions, and expects the mitigation logic to be accounted for directly on the submitted plan or an accompanying written document.