are the ofificials generally charged with responsibility for the trees. 

 Springfield has a city forester, Newburyport and Fall River have 

 tree wardens. The general law requires the authorization of the 

 mayor and aldermen, or some city ofificer having the care of the pub- 

 lic ways, for any planting of trees therein. Such trees are the prop- 

 erty of the abutting owners, but may be removed by the mayor and 

 aldermen if public necessity requires. 



No one may cut or remove an ornamental shade tree standing in 

 a public way in a city except after giving notice of his intention to 

 the mayor and aldermen and receiving their consent. 



The mayor and aldermen of a city are required during the last 

 four months of each year to designate for preservation ornamental 

 and shade trees, not otherwise protected, selecting at least one tree 

 in every thirty-three feet where such trees are growing and are of a 

 diameter of one inch or more. Such trees are to be marked by a 

 nail having the letter M plainly impressed on its head, driven into 

 the tree at a point between four and six feet from the ground on the 

 side toward the centre of the highway. These nails are to be fur- 

 nished by the secretary of the state board of agriculture. There is 

 a fine of not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars for 

 injuring, defacing or destroying trees so marked, or the nails affixed 

 to them. 



The use of M nails was formerly provided for in towns, but the 

 present law placed all the public shade trees in towns under the 

 protection of the tree warden, and the nails ceased to be needed. 



The general penalties for injuring trees (chaps. 1S5 and 208, 

 Revised Laws) apply alike to cities and towns. 



TREES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. 



For injury to trees upon private property by persons other than 

 the owner the law provides punishment by imprisonment not exceed- 

 ing six months, and triple damages may be assessed for wilful 

 injury of another's trees.' 



' R. L., ch. 208, s. 100, and ch. 185, s. 7. 



