Thanks to Fig City News for the article, Impact of revisions to Newton’s Tree Preservation Ordinance (9/1/25).
For the past year, Mothers Out Front Newton (MOFN) has studied the impact of Newton’s Tree Preservation Ordinance. MOFN knows that losing mature trees can reduce the quality of life, resilience, and livability of a whole neighborhood.
MOFN’s 2025-26 Climate Action Campaign is dedicated to enhancing Newton’s Tree Preservation Ordinance, to increase the number of trees protected, make it more fair, consistent, and less confusing for property owners, and to collect data on both the number of trees preserved and those removed to show how the Ordinance is working.
“We have developed seven recommendations that we believe will help achieve the Ordinance’s purpose to preserve and expand Newton’s tree canopy,” says Jan Saglio, chair of MOFN’s Tree Study Group. “The more trees we preserve, the more resilient all our neighborhoods will be,” said MOFN member Judy Boroschek whose basement flooded for the first time after a developer cut down trees and demolished the house next door.
Four of these recommendations are now City Council docket items that include prioritizing best practices for low-impact development in advance of designing changes to buildings and/or landscapes to promote both quality housing and to minimize the loss or harm to trees. They also propose the equal application of the Ordinance for 1-2 unit lots, protecting both biodiversity and trees by evaluating site-specific conditions of trees 6” diameter or greater, and standardizing notification of neighbors.
MOFN’s ongoing activities include Tree Tagging, Heat Island Safaris, and collecting stories about special trees. On September 20 and September 29, MOFN is partnering with other community groups in programs that support the City’s updated Climate Action Plan for 2025-2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and waste.
Ellie Goldberg
Newton Centre
...Other News...
Newton Cemetery & Arboretum requests exemption from Newton’s Tree Preservation Ordinance
Impact of revisions to Newton’s Tree Preservation Ordinance
Newton’s tree canopy over the years
Newton Cemetery & Arboretum offers insights on tree removals, Tree Preservation Ordinance, and arboretum stewardship