# Tree-Root Sidewalk Damage in Boston, MA: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Boston the City owns all street trees and repairs sidewalk damage on City property, so City-tree root heave is the City’s to fix.

**Who pays:** city

Boston: the City owns all street trees and repairs sidewalk damage on City property, so City-tree root heave is the City’s to fix.

**Boundary:** All street trees in the public right-of-way are owned and maintained by the City of Boston Urban Forestry Division (protected public shade trees under Massachusetts General Law ch. 87). Boston Public Works repairs sidewalk damage on City property, and Urban Forestry coordinates with Public Works to examine roots and address raised sidewalks. So City-street-tree root heave of a public sidewalk is the City’s to repair.

**Property owner:** Report damage via Boston 311; private-property sidewalk damage falls outside "City of Boston property."

**City / agency:** Public Works repairs minor damage on City property; Urban Forestry (which owns all ROW street trees) coordinates to examine roots and address raised sidewalks.

## Sources
- [City of Boston: Sidewalk Repair Program (City repairs minor damage on City property)](https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/sidewalk-repair-program) — "if it is determined that minor damage has occurred on City of Boston property - it's our responsibility to repair." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [City of Boston: Urban Forestry (street trees are City-owned; UFD coordinates with Public Works on root-raised sidewalks)](https://www.boston.gov/urban-forestry) — "Street trees in the City of Boston are the Urban Forestry Division’s responsibility." (accessed 2026-09-27)

_Last verified 2026-09-09. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/boston-ma-tree-roots/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._