Section 96-B. Tree conservation

1. The legislature hereby finds that there
  is a direct relationship between  the  planting  of  trees,  shrubs  and
  associated  vegetation  in  sufficient number in populated areas and the
  health, safety, and welfare  of  communities,  and  as  related  to  the
  natural,  scenic,  and  aesthetic  values  of trees and the physical and
  visual qualities of the environment which municipalities are  authorized
  to protect. Trees and such vegetation abate noise, provide welcome shade
  to  people, preserve the balance of oxygen in the air by removing carbon
  dioxide and fostering air quality, and add color and  verdure  to  human
  construction.  They  also stabilize the soil and control water pollution
  by  preventing   soil   erosion   and   flooding,   yield   advantageous
  microclimatic  effects, and provide a natural habitat for wildlife.  The
  destructive and indiscriminate removal of trees and  related  vegetation
  causes  increased  municipal  costs for proper drainage control, impairs
  the benefits of occupancy of existing residential properties and impairs
  the stability and value of both improved and unimproved real property in
  the area of destruction, and adversely affects the health,  safety,  and
  general welfare of the inhabitants of the state.
    2. In addition to any power or authority of a municipal corporation to
  regulate  by planning or zoning laws or regulations or by local laws and
  regulations, the local legislative body of any  county,  city,  town  or
  village   is   hereby  empowered  to  provide  for  the  protection  and
  conservation of trees and related vegetation.  Such legislative body may
  require appropriate conditions applicable to any activity involving  the
  removal  or  destruction of trees or the substantial alteration of grade
  level around trees may include, where appropriate, requirements that the
  activity be done as specified in an approved landscape plan and that the
  removed trees be replaced by the  planting  of  the  same  or  alternate
  species  of  trees,  and  may provide, in connection therewith, required
  plantings for screening purposes. Such regulations,  special  conditions
  and  restrictions, adopted in the exercise of the police power, shall be
  reasonable and appropriate to the purpose.  The municipality may require
  the posting of  a  performance  bond  to  assure  compliance  with  this
  section.  All charges and expenses incurred under this section by a town
  shall be a charge upon the taxable property of that  part  of  the  town
  outside any incorporated village.