Who Manages that Tree?
Residents often have questions about the management of their community’s trees. These trees are highly visible and important, but it is not always clear who is responsible for a specific tree. The following page describes the different types of managers, relevant contact information, and other resources to help direct interested residents to the right place for their questions.
Tree wardens and municipal trees
Tree wardens are appointed public officials responsible for trees on municipal property, such as a park, green, or municipal road. Each municipality is required by state law to have a tree warden, who performs specific duties, like:
- Determining if public safety requires a tree to be removed or pruned.
- Approving the planting, pruning, or removal of trees under their authority.
- Posting removal notices and, if requested, holding public hearings on tree removals.
- Enforcing laws related to the protection of municipal trees and municipal tree ordinances.
Tree wardens must meet statutory requirements within a year of being appointed, which includes either coursework offered by the Tree Wardens’ Association of Connecticut or licensure as a Connecticut arborist. Tree wardens who do not meet this requirement cannot be reappointed. You can use the tree warden map to find the contact information for your municipal tree warden.
Department of Transportation (DOT) and trees along state roads
Trees located along state roads (i.e., highways or roads with an associated route number, such as Route 1) fall under the authority of the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation has published its vegetation management guidelines for those interested. In some contexts, especially in town and city centers, the municipality through which a state road passes will take responsibility for managing these trees, with permission from the DOT. The State retains final authority over these trees; the local tree warden only has automatic authority over trees on municipal roads.
You need to obtain an encroachment permit from DOT before you can plant, prune, or remove a tree or shrub along a state road. See this explanation of the encroachment permit process and the application materials. Specific roadside issues, such as a hazardous tree condition, can be reported via the DOT Webform.
For other inquiries, contact the DOT offices.
Private landowners and trees on private property
Trees located on private property are covered in CT statute 52-560. CT DEEP cannot provide legal advice or interpretations of state statute-related issues; please contact a legal specialist for specific questions about private trees. For more information about previous court cases and Connecticut law involving trees, review CT Laws About Trees. If the tree is located on your property and you are interested in learning more about care and maintenance, visit our page on Yard Trees.
Utility companies and trees in easements
Sometimes, trees along a municipal right-of-way or on private property are maintained by a utility company as part of its vegetation management plan. Where relevant, the utility company and local tree warden review proposed management actions together. When electrical infrastructure crosses private land, the utility company often holds an easement that includes vegetation management. Property owners retain specific rights. For information regarding utility company processes and the procedure for filing objections or modifications, see CT statute 16-234.
Following severe storms in 2011, DEEP convened a task force to address the vulnerability of electrical infrastructure to poor roadside forest health and associated tree failures. The task force’s final report has been used to guide the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the legislature on utility vegetation management. PURA provides regulatory guidance over the vegetation management programs of the two investor-owned utilities (Eversource and UI). Many of the practices employed in these programs are discussed in PURA’s June 2014 Docket 12-01-10.
Trees are conductors of electricity, and trees in contact with any part of electrical distribution infrastructure must be treated with the utmost care. If you have any concerns about trees in contact with wires, contact your electric utility using the information below:
Eversource: Service territory includes 149 cities and towns within Connecticut.
United Illuminating: Service Area includes 17 cities and towns in Connecticut.
Wallingford Electric: Provides electricity to Wallingford and parts of Northford.
Bozrah Light and Power: Affiliated with Groton Utilities. Provides power to Bozrah, Gilman, and parts of Lebanon, Franklin, Montville, and Salem.
Groton Utilities: Provides electrical service within the Town of Groton.
Norwich Public Utilities: Provides electrical service within the Town of Norwich.
South Norwalk Electric and Water: Provides electrical service in parts of the City of Norwalk.
You can learn about best practices for planting under utility wires, other information about utilities and trees, and a full compilation of laws, regulations, and statutes regarding Connecticut trees in our Urban and Community Forestry Resource Library.
Trees on state lands and parks
Trees on state lands (including state parks) are managed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by Certified Foresters according to long-term, professional plans. The Forest Management on State Lands webpage provides more information and individual management plans for many state lands, and the Why We Manage Connecticut State Forests publication explains more about the benefits and importance of managing state forests. Questions about trees in state parks can be directed to deep.stateparks@ct.gov, or you can access more information about state parks from Connecticut’s official state park website.
Content last updated March 2026.