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Shade Tree

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1. A neighbor’s tree branches extends over my property - can you help?

The Township has no legal authority regarding tree disputes on private property.

2. Who trims the branches from street trees?

The homeowner is responsible for required tree pruning where the tree originates on private property. It is likely that greater than 95% of all Beautification street trees in the Township originate on private property. The Freehold Township Shade Tree Commission (FTSTC) recommends residents contact a NJ Board Certified Tree Expert (CTE) for all tree pruning concerns. It is assumed the consumer protections offered by the CTE Board control of CTE licensing are worthwhile. CTE listings can be found in the phone book under "Tree Services" or online.

3. Who takes care of fallen or broken hanging branches?

The property owner is responsible for any branches or debris that may fall from their trees. The Township conducts a yearly brush pick-up each spring: please check with Department of Public Works for the pick-up schedule. Brush may also be dropped off at the Recycling Center Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 8 am and 3 pm.

4. Who repairs sidewalk damage?

Freehold Township provides a program to assist homeowners in replacing the sidewalk and aprons in the public right-of-way. Learn more about the Sidewalk/Driveway Apron Replacement Program or contact the Township Engineering Department at 732-294-2070.

5. Who prunes tree branches in wires?

The local utility company in Freehold Township, JCP&L (First Energy), is responsible for removing branches near or in the electric wires. Do not attempt to trim trees near electric wires! Notify JCP&L at 1-800-662-3115 of any electric wire concerns.

6. Who removes the dead tree in front of my house?

The homeowner is responsible for the removal of trees located on private property. If trees are beyond the "home site" a permit is required. A "home site" is an area within 100 feet of the foundation of the house. In order to remove trees beyond the "home site," the homeowner must process a Tree Removal Permit (PDF) from the Shade Tree Department.

Two significant restrictions, whether within the "home site" or not, to the tree removal permit process are:

1. Whether the tree(s) is a "Heritage or Historic tree": A special Township ordinance restricts removal of Heritage or Historic trees. The Heritage Tree List (PDF) is on file in the Shade Tree office.
2. If the tree is within 25 feet of the edge of the right-of-way, a Tree Removal Permit must be approved before the actual tree removal. The township currently approves permits at no cost or the removal of dead trees.

7. How do I tell if my tree is alive?

A close inspection of tree branch tissue and the leaf buds. Environmentally stressed trees may cause the leaves to take longer to emerge than the surrounding tree's leaves. Call a Certified Tree Expert if in doubt.

8. Which trees are Street Beautification trees?

The trees planted symmetrically along the sidewalk, which are within 25 feet of the edge of the right-of-way (on private property), are Street Beautification trees.

9. What is the mulch ring around the base of my tree and can I use my string trimmer to cut the grass and weeds here?

Tree mulch rings installed and maintained to current arboricultural standards are simple and wonderfully beneficial to plant health. Mulch beds allow for very easy weed management. Mulch beds do not eliminate weeds but allow excellent soil conditions for tree vigor and for very easy weed management. All types of mechanical damage to tree trunk tissue (string trimmers/lawn mower decks, knife carving, etc.) cause the plant stress and can be avoided. A lawn area is a harsh condition for tree roots to compete for available water and nutrients. Creating generous plant beds (i.e. off the tree trunk collar and a maximum of 2 to 4 inches of mulch thickness) helps to avoid mechanical damage to the tree trunk.

10. Can I plant my home landscaping anywhere on my lot?

Plantings should be located off the property lines, off any easements (site triangle, utility, drainage, etc.) and plants should not be installed in the right-of-way, on township properties or in traffic site views. Allow sufficient space for the plants to grow to maturity.

11. What is the reason for a Street Beautification program?

The intent of the Shade Tree Commission is to beautify the frontage of all public roads in the Township. Many things about individual property lots will change over time; however, along the Township roadways, street trees exist which have been planted via the beautification program which started in the early 1960s.

12. What types of trees do you plant and why?

Recommendations from the nursery industry and from academic experts on the best tree types have adapted over time. The current revision to the Shade Tree Commission Approved Street Tree planting list is the desire to match the general conditions found throughout the Township and the 3 different potential growth space categories - Shade Trees, Flowering Trees and Fastigiate (Upright or Columnar) Trees - which should meet the differing situations found in many subdivisions. See Approved Street Tree Planting List (PDF) (in Latin and English). Visit the Arbor Day website for additional tree information.

13. When are beautification trees planted?

The current ordinance requires the developer to install the street beautification before the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issuance. Having the trees installed before CO may not be practical in all situations, since the "home closing" and CO issuance and seasonal conditions can be on different time schedules. At the "home closing," homeowners typically sign an Occupancy Sign Off form, which delays the street tree installation until the appropriate planting cycle is available.

14. Do I need to water trees?

Yes - most newly installed plants require above-average watering. Typically, additional watering for a newly planted tree is recommended, especially during the first 2 years. The current understanding of balled and burlapped trees is: about 90% of the tree root system was left at the nursery where the tree was dug. The installed tree has about 10% root surface to absorb water. While too much water can rot tree roots, a thoughtful balance of extra water is typically needed for newly planted trees, especially for the first 2 years.

15. Why do tree roots "like" my sanitary line?

If a tree is growing well, a survival mechanism is to explore the soil for supplies of oxygen, nutrients and water. It is our belief that tree roots do not cause sanitary line leaks. However, if a water vapor source or a water leak is available, the tree root will seek the water location as a survival reaction. There is doubt at this point, given an available water vapor source or a leak, that the tree root can make a minor problem significantly worse. When root blockage situations are suspected, the homeowner is strongly advised to regularly apply root inhibition products to sanitary lines, carefully following label instructions.

16. Why can’t I grow grass under my Shade Tree?

It is more difficult to grow "full-sun quality grass" under the shade of a tree. The recommendation is to make the tree bed larger, proportionate to the tree size, following current arboricultural standards. Decaying organic matter (mulch) covering the root system of trees is excellent for tree health and can be far less frustrating than trying to grow grass in the shade.

17. Does the Shade Tree Commission have a Homeowner’s Guide?

Yes: see the Homeowner's Guide.

18. Why does the power company have to make such a large hole through my street tree?

To maintain your and the neighborhood's electric supply. This continuing situation is where trees with the greatest potential growth space have been planted right under the overhead utility wire. The "rub" is that the tree's survival mechanism continues to grow branches into the best light source - which is right where the overhead wires are! We have not discovered a usable solution for this continuing problem. Do not plant trees with large potential growth space under the overhead wires.

19. What does it mean to be a “Tree City USA?”

Four separate standards or criteria have to be followed by the municipality to qualify it as a Tree City. It must have:

• A Shade Tree Commission
• A Community Tree Ordinance
• A Tree Program, minimum $2 per capita
• Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation

20. How long has Freehold Township been a Tree City?

Since 1981.

21. What about replacement trees?

The final funding year for the Township Beautification program was Spring 2003.

However, while it is a hope that someday new funding will become available the Shade Tree Commission is maintaining a resident call-in tree replacement request list. Please notify the Commission of empty planting locations.

22. How do I tell what kind of tree I have?

The short answer is, Experience. And you can visit the Arbor Day website for helpful tree identification links.

23. What do I do about hornets' nests or bees?

Please do not agitate or disturb the nests. Hornets are especially aggressive. Keep the kids from throwing stones and such at the nest - hornet stings hurt and may lead to breathing problems if the person has an allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock). Getting stung by agitating the nest is not the best way to find this out. If the tree originates on private property, it is the responsibility of the homeowner. Call a certified pesticide applicator company.

24. How do I get a Plaque at DPMA?

Simply fill out the plaque application (linked to this site), attach a check with the current donation amount, and the Township will notify you by mail when the plaque/tree have been installed.

25. Where is the Township right-of-way?

There is no single easy answer. Each property location can have specific differences that do not apply to the next location. Individual home survey plans associated with the tax maps should lead to a close understanding of the specific property line location and/or to the township right-of-way location. Licensed Surveying produces exact positions.

26. Does my tree have a disease?

Natural tree bark characteristics (on trees like the London Plane) can look like a disease to many people. Excessive leaf fall or too little leaf emergence in the springtime could be a disease. Accurate diagnosis of disease, pest or cultural problems in trees takes experience. Please call your local certified tree expert.

27. Why is my tree dead?

First check for mechanical damage to the tree trunk, and call your local certified tree expert.