Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 242, § 7 (2026)

Willful trespass to trees, etc.; damages

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 7. A person who without license willfully cuts down, carries away, girdles or otherwise destroys trees, timber, wood or underwood on the land of another shall be liable to the owner in tort for three times the amount of the damages assessed therefor; but if it is found that the defendant had good reason to believe that the land on which the trespass was committed was his own or that he was otherwise lawfully authorized to do the acts complained of, he shall be liable for single damages only.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 36 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1953–2026 · leading case: Larabee v. Potvin Lumber Co., 459 N.E.2d 93 (Mass. 1983).

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Larabee v. Potvin Lumber Co., 459 N.E.2d 93 (Mass. 1983). · cites it 6× “See G. L. c. 242, § 7. He allowed the defendant to set off $4,405.”

Evans v. Mayer Tree Serv., Inc., 46 N.E.3d 102 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016). · cites it 6× “The principal question before us is whether, under the particular circumstances presented, Marquis can be liable pursuant to G. L. c. 242, § 7, for destroying Evans’s trees “without license” to do so.”

Caci v. McDonald (In Re Brink), 333 B.R. 560 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2005). · cites it 5× “The jury found that the Debtors had violated Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 242, § 7 which provides the following: A person who without license willfully cuts down, carries away, girdles or otherwise destroys trees, timber, wood or underwood on the land of another shall be liable to the…”

Glavin v. Eckman, 881 N.E.2d 820 (Mass. App. Ct. 2008). · cites it 4× “After trial on Glavin’s claim against the Eckmans and Fragosa for the wrongful cutting of his trees, see G. L. c. 242, § 7, 3 a jury rendered a special verdict in favor of Glavin.”

Ritter v. Bergmann, 72 Mass. App. Ct. 296 (Mass. App. Ct. 2008). · cites it 5× “Ritter, trustee of the Birch Knoll trust (Ritter), to be in the amount of $43,594, and trebled damages under G. L. c. 242, § 7, to $130,782. 4 In this appeal, the Bergmanns assert that: (1) the Land Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to award damages pursuant to G.”

Haufler v. Zotos, 446 Mass. 489 (Mass. 2006). “” Haufler also brought breach of contract and trespass claims, and a claim for wilful trespass to trees under G. L. c. 242, § 7. Zotos counterclaimed that Haufler’s clearance of trees and excavation of his property amounted to nuisance, that Haufler tortiously interfered with…”

Bairstow v. Sullivan (In Re Sullivan), 198 B.R. 417 (Bankr. D. Mass. 1996). · cites it 2× “A separate order will enter in favor of the Plaintiffs on count two of their complaint, regarding the dischargeability of the judgment debt.”

J. D'Amico, Inc. v. City of Boston, 186 N.E.2d 716 (Mass. 1962). · cites it 2× “” Count 2 of the declaration in this action seeks treble damages under G. L. c. 242, § 7. 2 General “had issued a policy of insurance known as a Manufacturer’s and Contractor’s Schedule Liability Policy to .”

Normandin v. Eastland Partners, Inc., 862 N.E.2d 402 (Mass. App. Ct. 2007). “The plaintiffs’ complaint set out one count of breach of contract against Hopedale and three counts of breach of contract against Eastland as well as counts against it for trespass and violation of G. L. c. 242, § 7, negligence, and a request for a declaratory judgment…”

Larabee v. Potvin Lumber Co., 15 Mass. App. Ct. 225 (Mass. App. Ct. 1983). · cites it 5× “See G. L. c. 242, § 7. Judgment entered permanently barring the defendant from cutting timber on the plaintiffs’ land, *226 and treble damages were awarded the plaintiffs under G.”

Pugatch v. Stoloff, 671 N.E.2d 995 (Mass. App. Ct. 1996). “At the Stoloffs’ election, the order on count two may include restoration of so much of the privet hedge as was removed, or, alternatively, they may have treble damages therefor based on G. L. c. 242, § 7. 12 In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed.”

Zora Enter., Inc. v. Burnett, 810 N.E.2d 835 (Mass. App. Ct. 2004). “, 4 seeking a declaration that they were the owners of the fee underlying Old Knoll Road; injunctive relief; and damages for trespass, including the cutting of trees, see G. L. c. 242, § 7, and for violation of G.”

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