Borough of Collingswood, NJ Chapter 283 Trees

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Collingswood 1-5-1998 by Ord. No. 1143; amended in its entirety 1-4-1999 by Ord. No. 1172. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Shade tree advisory committee — See Ch. 72.

§ 283-1 Short title.

This chapter shall be known as the "Tree Protection Ordinance."

§ 283-2 Purpose.

The intent and purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the Borough of Collingswood for the protection and preservation of certain trees and shrubs, as defined herein growing in a natural state within areas of borough curbstrips or borough easements.

§ 283-3 Definitions.

The meaning of the words when used in this chapter shall be given their common and ordinary meaning except when otherwise specified. The following word is specifically defined for purposes of this chapter:

TREE

Any woody perennial plant having a diameter of 1 1/2 inches or greater measured at a point four feet above the ground.

§ 283-4 Applicability.

This chapter shall apply to all trees, as defined in this chapter, growing upon any borough curbstrip or borough easement.

§ 283-5 Trees on curbside, public property and in public parks.

[Amended 12-1-2008 by Ord. No. 1457]

A. No person(s) is permitted to trim, top or remove any limbs, trunks, branches or roots of any curbside tree, a tree located in a public park or a tree located on public property.

B. No person(s) is permitted to nail, tack or staple any sign or notices into any limbs, trunks, branches or roots of any curbside tree, a tree located in a public park or a tree on public property.

§ 283-6 Concrete repairs when tree roots are involved.

See Appendix A, attached.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Appendix A is included at the end of this chapter.

§ 283-7 Utility trimming.

A. Any person or persons, corporation or corporations and/or utility companies must submit a written plan for any tree trimming prior to the commencement of work to the office of the Superintendent of Public Works or his designee for his approval. This plan must be submitted two weeks prior to the work. Upon approval, the Superintendent of Public Works shall be notified 24 hours in advance of the actual start of the work. In emergency situations (i.e., windstorms, hurricanes, sewer outages), this section shall be deemed inapplicable. However, if possible, the Superintendent of Public Works shall be notified prior to work. Violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punishable as provided for in § 283-9, Violations and penalties.

B. Each tree which is deemed to have been removed in violation of this chapter, shall be considered a separate offense.

C. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the remedies available to the Borough of Collingswood or other person seeking to compel enforcement of this chapter.

§ 283-8 Planting of trees.

No tree should be planted in the curbstrip of the borough's easement without prior approval from the Shade Tree Advisory Board.

§ 283-9 Violations and penalties.

Any person(s), corporations(s) and/or utility companies violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 90 days or a period of community service for not more than 90 days, or any combination thereof, at the discretion of the court.