WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE SHADE TREE COMMISSION?
The mission of the Haddonfield Shade Tree Commission is to provide safe town trees while replacing, maintaining and preserving existing Borough trees and overall tree canopy. Unless a tree is unsafe, sick or dying it will not be removed. The community is best served and town budget expenses are reduced by maintaining existing mature trees rather than removing and replacing them without just cause. New trees are chosen for their historical longevity, disease resistance, growth characteristics and beauty. Only the members of the Haddonfield Shade Tree Commission and authorized Borough employees may decide whether a Borough-owned tree is healthy or still useful to the community.
WHICH TREES ARE OWNED BY THE BOROUGH?
Haddonfield Borough owns, maintains and is responsible for the approximately 9,000 trees planted along the streets within the Borough right-of-way and in the public areas of Haddonfield. The Inventory of Borough Street Trees is available on this web page.
It lists the Borough-owned trees by address, their location and their approximate diameter. In almost all cases, homeowners do not own the trees planted within the property between the street and the sidewalk, the so-called "park strip”. In some cases, the Borough right-of-way may extend past the sidewalk onto areas often thought by residents to be private property.
There are also some streets without curbs and sidewalks. These streets also have a right-of-way owned by the Borough, and may have Borough-owned trees planted in that right-of-way. The width of the right-of-way varies throughout the Borough. To determine any given right-of-way, consult your property survey or the Borough tax maps maintained by the Office of Tax Assessment. The Department of Public Works can determine whether a specific tree is within the Borough right-of-way. For more information, read How to Identify and Measure a Borough Tree
WHO IS THE SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR BOROUGH TREES?
The Superintendent of Public Works of Haddonfield is the primary point of contact for Borough tree issues. The Borough Construction Office can advise residents regarding construction-related policies and procedures to the extent that planned construction may impact Borough-owned trees.
WHO ARE HADDONFIELD'S SHADE TREE COMMISSIONERS AND WHAT IS THEIR AUTHORITY?
Shade tree commissioners are Haddonfield residents who volunteer their time to the preservation and maintenance of Haddonfield’s trees. They work for and with the Borough in the oversight of Shade tree issues. They act as facilitators for the residents and carry out annual tasks as outlined in the state-approved Haddonfield’s Community Forestry Management Plan, Haddonfield Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP), 2017-2021 . The Shade Tree Commission’s activities are governed by the Borough code, Section 56 and Section 135, updated most recently in 2014. They are appointed to the commission by the Mayor. Their terms are for a period of five years. There are five regular members and two alternate members.
WHEN DOES THE SHADE TREE COMMISSION MEET?
The Shade Tree Commission meets at 8:00am on the third Tuesday of the month, with the exception of July and August. There are no regularly scheduled meetings during that month; there will be appropriate public notice if any special meetings are scheduled. The meetings are held in room 102 of the Borough Hall. The public is invited and welcome. Homeowners with questions about shade trees are urged to attend these meetings.
WHICH TREES ARE REMOVED…WHY?
There are many reasons why trees are removed. Following is a small sample of reasons: trees that are badly damaged in a storm; trees that are badly diseased; trees that are dead; trees considered dangerous by the Shade Tree Commissioners or authorized Borough employees, i.e.: leaning excessively, badly rotted, etc… Only the members of the Haddonfield Shade Tree Commission and authorized Borough employees may decide whether a Borough-owned tree is healthy or still useful to the community. If you feel a tree should be considered for removal, please contact the Superintendent of Public Works. Click here to go to Public Works.
WHICH TREES ARE PRUNED…WHY?
There are many reasons why trees are pruned. Trees that in the opinion of the Borough appear be hazardous are pruned. Trees damaged in a storm may be "safety pruned" first and then removed at a later date. Some tree diseases can be abated by pruning; in this case, pruning is a priority to save the tree. Trees with limbs that obstruct walking on the sidewalk are pruned. Haddonfield residents are asked to call the Borough if you see a tree needing pruning. Haddonfield residents may not prune Borough-owned trees, unless specifically permitted in writing to do so by the Superintendent of Public Works or his designated representative. Click here to go to Public Works.
MAY A RESIDENT PAY A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR TO REMOVE OR PRUNE A BOROUGH TREE?
It depends. In all cases the homeowner must make their request in writing to the Superintendent of Public Works. Please contact the Superintendent of Public Works with questions.
WHEN ARE TREES REMOVED OR PRUNED?
Issues of safety are addressed first in both instances. In general, trees are pruned in mild weather months while they are leafed out and removed during the winter after the leaves have fallen. To have a tree pruned or removed, contact the Superintendent of Public Works. If the situation is considered dangerous by the Borough the work will be accomplished quickly; if not, please allow up to one year for the work to be accomplished.
WHEN ARE STUMPS REMOVED?
Given budgetary constraints, stumps remain until the next year and in some cases, longer. Certain stumps can not and will not be ground by the Borough due to their close proximity to in-ground utilities such as water, sewer and gas pipes.
HOW CAN I REQUEST A NEW TREE TO BE PLANTED?
Because of budgetary constraints and the removal of diseased trees, the Borough has reduced sharply the number of trees planted annually. In 2013, trees were funded by donations under the Tricentennial Tree Program. In 2014 and 2015, a state grant, supplemented by additional private donations, funded the purchase and planting of new trees. If you wish the Borough to plant a tree in front of your property in the future, please notify the Superintendent of Public Works. The Shade Tree Commission sponsors the Commemorative Tree Donation Program. to promote the planting of trees in the downtown Business District.
WHERE WILL NEW TREES BE PLANTED?
Many factors go into the placement of new trees. Resident requests, existing stumps, location of underground utilities such as sewer, water and gas lines, location of above-ground utilities such as electricity and cable lines, proximity to other trees and the size of the park strip affect this decision. Shade Tree Commissioners are tasked to evaluate each street in their territory and make recommendations to the superintendent.
WHAT TYPE OF TREES WILL BE PLANTED?
Different trees species have different "habits" or growth characteristics. These characteristics are considered before a tree species is chosen for planting. Typically five to six varieties are chosen each year. Bio-diversity, canopy, ability to thrive in difficult growing conditions and the overall beauty of Haddonfield's streetscape are considerations in this decision. For more information, see the Haddonfield Borough Tree Planting Species List.
MAY I PLANT A TREE OF MY CHOOSING ON BOROUGH PROPERTY?
It depends. The Borough plants and maintains shade trees in order to: create a cooler, more pleasant environment during the summer months, to enhance the economic value of the town’s residences and to increase the beauty and positive reputation of the town. Therefore, only certain tree species, those that are shade trees of proven hardiness will be considered. (For a current list of the trees approved for planting, see the Haddonfield Borough Tree Planting Species List . To plant a tree on Borough property, homeowners must make a request in writing to the Shade Tree Commission and be granted written permission prior to any planting on Borough property. If a tree is planted without permission, the homeowner may be required to remove it.
MAY A RESIDENT PAY A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR TO REMOVE OR PRUNE A BOROUGH TREE?
It depends. In all cases the homeowner must make their request in writing to the Superintendent of Public Works. Please contact the Superintendent of Public Works with questions.
HOW ARE DISPUTES SETTLED?
Should a dispute arise between an individual or entity and the Borough regarding shade trees, the following steps will be taken: (1) the homeowner will write a letter to the Haddonfield Shade Tree Commission stating the facts and requesting a hearing at a regularly scheduled Shade Tree Commission meeting. (2) Members of the commission will review the facts at the next scheduled meeting and visit the site if necessary. (3) Depending on the circumstances in question, the commissioners will discuss the facts, come to consensus and render a decision at this or the next meeting. The decision of the Haddonfield Shade Tree Commission is a final decision of the Borough of Haddonfield.