Borough of Haddonfield Shade Tree Commission

Below are two new programs available through the Shade Tree Commission:

1. Tree Removal Partnership Program
2. Commemorative Tree Donation Program

For general questions regarding the Shade Tree Commission review the list of Frequently Asked Questions below:

• What is the mission of the Shade Tree Commission?
• Who owns and is responsible for borough trees?
• Who is the single point of contact about borough trees?
• Who are Haddonfield’s Shade Tree Commissioners?
• When does the Shade Tree Commission meet?
• Which trees are removed…Why?
• Which trees are pruned…Why?
• When are trees removed or pruned?
• When are stumps removed?
• When will a new tree be planted?
• Where will new trees be planted?
• What type of trees will be planted?
• May I plant a tree of my choosing on borough property? 
• May a resident pay a private contractor to remove or prune a borough tree?
• May a resident plant a tree of their choosing on borough property?
• How are disputes settled?  

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE SHADE TREE COMMISSION?  To provide safe town trees while maintaining and preserving all existing borough trees.  Unless a tree is unsafe, sick or dying it will not be removed.  The community is best served by maintaining existing 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 pass judgment on the health or utility of a borough tree.

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WHO OWNS AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOROUGH TREES?  Haddonfield Borough owns, maintains and is responsible for over 11,000 trees along the streets and in the public areas of Haddonfield.  In almost all cases, homeowners do not own the property between the street and the sidewalk.  This area is called the “park strip.”  Trees in this area are the property of the borough.  There are some streets without curbs and side walks.  These streets also have a “Right of Way” associated with them.  The Rights of Way vary.  To determine any given Right of Way, consult you property survey or call the Superintendent of Public Works.  Haddonfield borough is responsible for the planning, planting, maintenance and removal of all trees in the right of way.

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WHO IS THE SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR BOROUGH TREES? 
The Superintendent of Public Works of Haddonfield is the single point of contact for borough tree issues.

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WHO ARE HADDONFIELD’S SHADE TREE COMMISSIONERS?
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 Haddonfield’s Community Forestry Management Plan. 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.

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WHEN DOES THE SHADE TREE COMMISION MEET?  The Shade Tree Commission meets at 9:00 am on the third Monday of the month.  (There are no meetings in July & August.)  If the regular meeting date would fall on a holiday the meeting is rescheduled for the next day (the third Tuesday.)  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.

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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 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 pass judgment on the health or utility of a borough tree.  If you feel a tree should be considered for removal, please contact the Superintendent of Public Works.

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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; these trees are 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 trees, unless specifically permitted to do so by the Superintendent of Public Works.

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WHEN ARE TREES REMOVED OR PRUNED?  Issues of safety are addressed first in both instances.  In general trees are pruned in mild weather months and removed in the harsher weather months.  To have a tree pruned or removed, contact the Superintendent of Public Works.  If it is considered dangerous by the borough it will be accomplished quickly; if not, please allow up to one year for the work to be accomplished.

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WHEN ARE STUMPS REMOVED?  Depending on budgetary constraints, stumps remain until the next year and in some cases, longer.  Haddonfield only recently began grinding stumps as part of the shade tree program.  Many stumps can not and will not be ground by the borough due to their close proximity to utilities (water, sewer, gas pipes.)

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WHEN WILL A NEW TREE BE PLANTED?  Between 75 and 120 trees per year are planted in Haddonfield.  Planting is typically done in the spring.  Shade tree commissioners evaluate the streets in their area of responsibility and submit a “plant list” to the Superintendent of Public Works who carries out the planting.  If you wish the borough to plant a tree in front of your property, please notify the Superintendent of Public Works.

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WHERE WILL NEW TREES BE PLANTED?  Many factors go into the placement of new trees.  Existing stumps, utilities, (sewer, water and gas 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.

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WHAT TYPE OF TREES WILL BE PLANTED?  Different trees species have different “habits” or growth characteristics.  These characteristics are considered before a tree is chosen to be planted.  Typically five to six varieties are chosen each year.  Bio-diversity, canopy and the overall beauty of Haddonfield’s streetscape are considerations in this decision.

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MAY I PLANT A TREE OF MY CHOOSING ON BOROUGH PROPERTY?  It depends.  The borough maintains “SHADE” trees for mainly two reasons:  First, to shade the streets of Haddonfield.  Secondly, in a word: beauty.  No one can deny the general appearance of our town is significantly enhanced by the borough’s shade trees.  Therefore, only established “shade trees” will be considered.  Homeowners must request in writing and be granted permission prior to any planting on borough property. 

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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.

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HOW ARE DISPUTES SETTLED?  Should a dispute arise between a homeowner 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) At a subsequent meeting, the commissioners will discuss the facts, come to consensus and render a decision.  The decision of the Haddonfield Shade Tree Commission is final.

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