Q. Can one cut branches with flowers from city owned trees on the street (close to the curb) to be used for Shavuos decorations in a shul or house? (presumably the city won’t mind if it is only a few branches)

A. Bylaws of the City of Toronto state that a permit is required to remove, cut down or in any other way injure a tree with a diameter of 30 cm or more even on private property. However, Urban Forestry has determined that trees will live longer and grow better if they are pruned frequently. (www.toronto.ca). You may want to inquire if your planned cutting of branches is permitted or not.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that obviously it is prohibited by Halacha to cut or use for any purpose branches that were cut illegally and especially so for a mitzva purpose.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a