Setback & Street Trees Planted by Resident Request

Pin OakIn spring and fall, Lexington residents can request a setback tree to be planted on their property in their front yard and or a street tree to be planted in the town right-of-way in front of their home. Requests are honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone already on the waiting list will be honored prior to new requests.

Requesting a Tree

To initiate the process, a homeowner should send an email to Chris Filadoro, specifying "Request for Street Tree" or "Request for Setback Tree". Please include your name, address and phone number. Once the request is received, notification will be made to homeowners by email or phone.

A member of the Tree Committee or the Department of Public Works staff will then make a site visit with the homeowner to discuss the type of tree to be planted and where it is to be placed. Each tree planted is evaluated according to a range of considerations, among which are the amount of sun or shade at the site and whether the tree is being used primarily for canopy or ornamental value.

Tree Species

The Tree Warden and the Tree Committee select several species of bare-root or balled-and-burlapped trees each season. Trees that are often planted include:

If the trees have run out, or the Department of Public Works has closed the planting season, homeowners are still encouraged to reserve setback and street trees for next season. Names will be put on a waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date the email is received by Chris Filadoro. No tree species can be specified.

Tree Planting & Care

The town will plant and stake the trees.

Street Trees: The town will be responsible for watering through the first growing season. It will be most helpful for homeowners to monitor the tree between watering and add supplemental water as necessary until the first hard frost in the fall.

Setback Trees: The homeowner is required to water and care for the tree from the time it is planted. After one year, the setback tree becomes the property of the homeowner.

The Town of Lexington Department of Public Works values being able to make this offer to you again and thanks you for your interest in planting trees in our community.