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2. Landowners must obtain prior permission from the Conservation Commission before work of any kind (e.g. tree or brush removal or trimming, vegetation removal or cutting, lawn expansion, soil grading and construction) is conducted in a Wetland Resource Area, 25-foot No Disturb Zone (NDZ), Buffer Zone, Riverfront Area, or Conservation Restriction.

4. Process to Request Approval

   1. Use the following form to describe:

   • the trees proposed for removal
   • the mitigation plan

   2. You will be asked below to upload a sketch map indicating the location of the proposed trees for removal and the Jurisdictional Area (i.e., Wetland Resource Area, 25-foot NDZ, Buffer Zone, Riverfront Area or Conservation Restriction).

   3. After submitting this form, flag the trees proposed for removal in preparation for a site visit from a member from the Conservation Office. Staff will reach out within one week of receiving this application. You do not need to be present for the site visit.

   4. Do not proceed with the tree removal until the Conservation Office has issued approval for the tree removal.

   Questions may be directed to the Conservation Office at 781-786-5068 or conservation@westonma.gov

6. Tree Removal Policy and Approval Process
   Tree Removal Policy (PDF)

   Read the full Tree Removal Policy for details on the permit approval process. This policy applies to natural or landscaped areas within Conservation jurisdiction. Landscaped areas are comprised predominantly of lawn or landscaping shrubs. Natural areas are predominantly naturally occurring vegetation.

7. Tree Removal Process, Jurisdictional Areas, and Mitigation Description
   Tree Removal Process

   Additional information on the tree removal process, including a description of Jurisdictional Areas and mitigation requirements is detailed on the Tree Removal Process web page.

9. Project Address*
10. Property Owner's Name*
12. Applicant Name*
13. Email Address*
15. Phone Number*
17. Removal in Jurisdictional Area*

    In which of the following areas are you requesting to remove trees? Find the following corresponding section to add details.

    1. Wetland Resource Area (wetland, marsh, pond, stream, or 100-year flood zone) or 25' NDZ
    2. In a Buffer Zone (land within 100' of a wetland, vernal pool, bank, lake) or Riverfront Area (land within 200' of bank of a stream or river)
    3. Conservation Restriction
19. Tree Removal Details in a Wetland Resource Area or 25-Foot NDZ

    Please provide an answer for the nine questions below, if the proposed work falls within this jurisdictional area.

21. 1. Total number of trees proposed to be cut:
22. 2. Size(s) of tree(s) (diameter at breast height):
24. 3. Closest distance between work and wetlands:
25. 4. Are the trees within natural area or landscaped (lawn) area?
27. 5. Will tree stump/roots proposed to be ground up (i.e., will there be ground disturbance)?
28. 6. Will the tree trunk/branches be removed or left in the wetland/NDZ?
30. 7. Will all equipment remain on existing lawn/driveway/paved surface?
31. 8. Will there be any expansion of lawn?
33. 9. Is there any other type of work proposed in this area?
35. Is there anything else you wish to add about your tree removal request?
37. Tree Removal Details in the 100-foot Buffer Zone but Outside the 25-Foot NDZ or in Riverfront Area

    Please provide an answer for the nine questions below, if the proposed work falls within this jurisdictional area.

39. 1. Total number of trees proposed to be cut
40. 2. Sizes(s) of tree(s), (diameter at breast height):
42. 3. Closest distance between work and wetlands:
43. 4. Are the trees within a natural area or a landscaped (lawn) area?
45. 5. Are tree stump/roots proposed to be ground up (i.e., will there be ground disturbance)?
46. 6. Will the tree trunk/branches be removed or left in the buffer zone/riverfront area?
48. 7. Will all equipment remain on the existing lawn/driveway/paved surface?
49. 8. Will there be any expansion of lawn?
51. 9. Is there any other type of work proposed in this area?
53. Is there anything else you wish to add about your tree removal request?
55. Tree Removal Details in a Conservation Restriction Area

    Please provide an answer for the nine questions below, if the proposed work falls within this jurisdictional area.

57. 1.Total number of trees proposed to be cut:
58. 2. Size(s) of tree(s), (diameter at breast height):
60. 3. Closest distance between work and wetlands:
61. 4. Are the trees within natural area or landscaped (lawn) area?
63. 5. Will tree stump/roots proposed to be ground up (i.e., will there be ground disturbance)?
64. 6. Will the tree trunk/branches be removed or left in the Conservation Restriction area?
66. 7. Will all equipment remain on existing lawn/driveway/paved surface?
67. 8. Will there be any expansion of lawn?
69. 9. Is there any other type of work proposed in this area?
71. Is there anything else you wish to add about your tree removal request?
73. Sketch Map and Mitigation Plans

    Below, you will be asked to upload a sketch map of the trees proposed for removal in the jurisdictional area. The sketch must show the following:

    1. Location of existing Wetland Resource Areas, 25' NDZ, 100-foot Buffer Zone, Riverfront Area, Conservation Restriction (if any), house, trees, and other relevant features;
    2. Location of proposed trees to be cut (numbered in a way that can be cross-referenced with the Tree Removal Request form); and
    3. Location where proposed mitigation trees or shrubs (if required) will be planted.

    You can access a map of the property on the Town's MapsOnline GIS Program. A MapsOnline User Guide (PDF) is available to help acquaint yourself with the program..

    You will also be asked to upload a mitigation plan for a proposed tree removal, if required due to size or location.

75. Sketch Map Upload*

    Follow the directions above before uploading the sketch map of the proposed location of tree removal.

76. Native Plant Mitigation Form
    Tree/Shrub Replacement Form (PDF)

    The Native Plant Mitigation Plan form can be downloaded and filled out for inclusion in your application. Guidelines can be found below.

78. Mitigation Plan Required*

    1. I have attached the Native Plant Mitigation Form with this Tree Removal Request
    2. I am not required to mitigate this tree removal due to location (outside wetland resource area and 25' NDZ).
    3. I am not required to mitigate this tree removal due to size of trees (less than 11-inches in diameter).
79. Mitigation Plan
    Upload the completed Tree/Shrub Replacement Form (located above).
81. Waiver Request

    I would like to request a waiver for any required mitigation planting due to the following reason:

    1. The tree(s) were significantly damaged in a storm event.
    2. The property is heavily wooded and growing new shrubs or trees would be difficult.
    3. The tree to be removed is already dead.
82. Tree/Shrub Replacement Guidelines
    Tree/Shrub Replacement Guidelines (PDF)

    This document was created to provide guidance to landowners wishing to cut trees on their property, which require mitigation plantings, per Weston’s Tree Removal Policy. Native plants in and near wetlands will intercept pollutants, slow down runoff from adjacent land, provide some wildlife habitat, and reduce the use of watering, pesticides and herbicides.
Leave This Blank:


84. 1. Receive an email copy of this form.
85. Email address

    This field is not part of the form submission.

86. Submit

* indicates a required field