A great part of Sharon's natural beauty is its trees, especially its roadside trees. Sharon was named a Tree City a few years ago, and the town has its own tree warden.
But homeowners, and the builders and contractors they employ, are the first line of defense in preserving this environmental asset.
An important rule is that before cutting a tree within 10 feet of the edge of any public road, the homeowner, developer, engineer, or tree service should ask Tree Warden Kevin Weber at the Department of Public Works, to determine whether the tree is in the town's right-of-way. If it is, the tree is public property, and the town has a right to require compensation or a replacement planting for loss of the tree. Replacing a tree can cost $200 to $250.
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A tree that one might think is on one's own "private property" may not be. Cutting such a tree without the tree warden's permission violates state and town tree protections. The Tree Warden can be reached at 781-784-1525, ext 2322.
Collectively, the cooperative actions of the residents of Sharon can keep the town green.