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1. What is a Town tree?

Trees that are located on Town property or a Town right-of-way (generally 6-8 feet from the roadside curb) are considered to be Town trees. As such, these are the responsibility of the Town and will be maintained and/or removed by the Town. The Town is very dedicated to the preservation of trees and will only remove a tree as a last resort or during road reconstruction projects.

2. When will a Town tree be removed?

The Town is very dedicated to the preservation of trees and will only remove a tree as a last resort or during road reconstruction projects. A tree may be removed for the following reasons:

1. Roots are uplifting the road


2. Roots are interfering with a drainage basin


3. The tree is in the boundaries of the proposed road expansion (Federal and State guidelines dictate how wide a street must be)


4. The condition of the tree jeopardizes public safety (roots that are cut or damaged compromise the integrity of the tree which could in turn become a public safety issue)


5. The tree is diseased or dead

We encourage all residents who have lost a tree and want another one to apply for the Town's Tree Planting Program by filling out a Tree Replacement Application. You can obtain an application by contacting the Department of Environmental Control at (631) 422-7640 ext. 7645.

3. Are there any restrictions on tree planting?

No tree shall be planted within the sidewalk area in front of or adjacent to any private premises except trees whose root systems normally will not cause damage to sidewalks, curbs or utility installations. Trees of the following varieties should be planted:

• Sugar Maple
• Northern Red Oak
• Scarlet Oak
• Pin Oak
• American Linden
• Silver Linden
• Moraine Honey Locust
• Moraine Flowering Dogwood
• Red Flowering Dogwood
• Japanese Dogwood
• Goldenrain
• Sourwood
• Eastern Plane

4. Does the Town remove a fallen tree from a State or County road?

The Town of Babylon will remove any tree, regardless of roadway jurisdiction, if the fallen tree obstructs a roadway.

5. Who do I contact if a tree is damaging my sidewalk?

Contact the Office of Citizen Services at 631-957-7474 or 3-1-1. A service request will be sent to DPW to schedule an inspection of the tree. Inspections include gathering information on location, degree of nuisance, existing workload, health of the tree, other existing problems and if the sidewalk has been lifted by more than two inches. If warranted, repairs will be scheduled and expedited as soon as possible.

6. How long does it take to remove a tree causing damage to a sidewalk?

Each case is different depending on location, degree of nuisance and workload. The Town tries to expedite each complaint as quickly as possible. Each tree complaint that comes in must be located and scheduled for inspection. The inspection determines whether or not the tree is dead, has other problems or has lifted the sidewalk by more that two inches.

7. What can be done about tree roots interfering with my sewer lines?

All concerns about tree interference should be directed to Citizen Services, (631) 957-TOWN (8696). Residents are encouraged to submit a letter to Citizen Services written by a certified engineer that describes the situation. The case will be assigned to a caseworker and given priority.

8. What do I do if a tree is damaged by a storm or interferring with power lines?

Contact PSEG at 1-800-490-0075 . During a storm/emergency response situation, PSEG will remove/trim the necessary portions of trees in order to conduct the associated work. These trees will be cut/trimmed and, depending on the location of the tree (rear yard or front yard), neatly stacked in a logistically appropriate area of the customer’s premises. It is the responsibility of either the homeowner or the municipality (Town or Village) in which they live to remove the tree debris.

9. Who do I contact about my insurance being cancelled as a result of tree interference with my sidewalk?

Send all insurance cancellation correspondence to the Citizen Services Office where it will be assigned to a caseworker and given priority. For more information, please call (631) 957-TOWN (8696).

10. Who do I contact about infested trees?

All concerns about infested trees should be directed to the Town’s Department of Environmental Control at (631) 422-7640. A Town employee will be dispatched to the area and survey the specimen and tree in question.

11. How do I know if an Asian Long Horned Beetle is infesting and damaging my tree?

The Asian Long Horn Beetle is about an inch long and has defined black and white spots. It has very long antennae, which extend out to be longer than the beetle. They make unmistakable holes in the tree as they bore out of it once they mature out of the larval stage.

12. What should I do if my tree shows signs of infestation?

To report signs or symptoms of the Asian longhorned beetle, please call the New York ALB Eradication Program toll free at (866) 265-0301 or 877-STOP-ALB.