Tree Preservation Planning Committee

About the Tree Preservation Planning Committee

The Tree Preservation Planning Committee (TPPC) was established by the Select Board in 2024. The TPPC will review options for preserving the Town’s tree canopy (both public and private) and make recommendations for action to the Select Board.  

The TPPC will:

1. Host a public listening session early in the Committee’s work to solicit general thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns from members of the Needham community regarding tree preservation.
2. Review the Town Manager’s working group draft goals for tree preservation and recommend changes as appropriate.
3. Review tree preservation strategies in similarly situated communities.
4. Gather feedback from stakeholders including homeowners, developers, builders and members of boards and committees.
5. Investigate funding sources for tree preservation including grants, fees, and Community Preservation funding.
6. Evaluate and recommend changes to rules, regulations, polices and by-laws to implement tree preservation strategies.
7. Investigate available data on the existence and removal of public and private trees.
8. Develop metrics for tracking tree preservation progress.
9. Develop strategies for raising community awareness about the importance of trees.
10. Identify and report to the Select Board priority tree preservation strategies that could be undertaken prior to the comprehensive plan being finalized or that would have to be advanced in a timely manner for consideration in the Town budget process, Annual Town Meeting, or Special Town Meeting by June 15, 2025. 
11. Develop and present a report to the Select Board on tree preservation strategies for private and public trees.  

Agendas, Agenda Packets, Minutes

Members

The TTPC consists of eleven members appointed by the Select Board. Each will serve through the end of FY2026.

Staff support is provided by Ed Olsen, DPW Superintendent of Parks & Forestry and a Certified Arborist, and Gabby Queenan, Sustainability Manager.