SECTION 26A. Removal and destruction of trees infected with Dutch elm disease

If the chief superintendent or the local superintendent or their employees or authorized agents shall find on public or private property elm trees or parts thereof infested or infected with or likely to become so infected or infested with the causal fungus of the Dutch elm disease or infested with, or likely to become infested with, the beetles known or suspected to be carriers of said disease, they may remove and destroy or cause to be removed and destroyed such trees or parts thereof. Complete removal of trees may be ordered by them only upon proof by positive laboratory tests conducted by the shade tree laboratories at the University of Massachusetts that the tree has become infected with the said Dutch elm disease. The order to remove shall be subject to other applicable provisions of this chapter.