City Council adopted the Tree Preservation Plan, Growing a Resilient Urban Forest, on Sept. 28. The plan covers the city’s trees and natural areas and looks ahead to a healthy canopy in the years to come. Focus groups and community outreach helped shape it, and it was reviewed by the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission.
The plan notes that tree preservation takes practical judgment. A tree’s health, location, growing space, and proximity to buildings and utilities all matter. The city says the goal is to make thoughtful decisions about what to preserve, where to plant, and how to maintain those trees over time.
The city’s agenda summary says the plan is intended to serve as “a durable policy framework rather than a technical ordinance.” Detailed standards, such as replacement calculations, planting specifications, and construction requirements, may be implemented later through ordinance amendments or administrative guidance.
The full report is available on the City of Chelsea website:
Chelsea Tree Preservation Plan (9/28/26)
