As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
PARK TREES
Trees or shrubs in Township public parks or other open spaces
having individual names and all areas owned by the Township or to
which the public has free access as a park.
STREET TREES
Trees and shrubs on land lying within rights-of-way or easement
lines on either side of all streets, avenues or easements.
The spacing and location of street trees will be in accordance with Chapter
255, Land Development, of this Code.
No street tree shall be planted closer than 25 feet to any street
corner, measured from the point of the nearest intersecting curb or
curbline. No street tree shall be planted closer than 10 feet to any
fireplug.
The Tree Advisory Board will encourage planting of new trees
on private property four feet to five feet away from the sidewalk
to prevent damage to the sidewalk.
It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm
or Township department to top any street tree, park tree or other
tree on public property. "Topping" is defined as the severe cutting
back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within
the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal
canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or
other causes or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions
where other pruning practices are impractical are exempted from this
chapter.
Every owner of any tree or shrub overhanging any street or right-of-way
within the Township shall prune the branches so that such branches
shall not obstruct the light from any streetlamp or obstruct the view
of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space
of 14 feet above the surface of the street and 10 feet above the surface
of the sidewalk. Said owners shall remove all dead, diseased or dangerous
trees or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the
safety of the public. Any public utility or its agents may, upon receiving
(written) permission from the Tree Advisory Board/Township Engineer
at least 72 hours prior to the start of work, prune or remove trees
for line clearance of utility wires in nonemergency situations pursuant
to a line clearance program.
Any public utility or its agents may undertake emergency tree
work to restore electrical service or spot work to prevent interruption
of electrical, telephone, telegraph, cable television or other wire
service. In such an event, the utility will notify the Tree Advisory
Board/Township Engineer of said work within three business days of
its beginning.
All stumps of street and park trees shall be removed below the
surface of the ground.
No person shall do any excavating within four feet of any street
or park tree on public property without a permit.
The Township Committee shall have the right to review the conduct,
acts and decisions of the Township Tree Advisory Board. Any person
may appeal from any ruling or order of the Township Tree Advisory
Board to the Township Committee, which may hear the matter and make
final decision.
The Tree Advisory Board shall have the responsibility to locate
trees of historic value, endangered species and those unique to Cranford.
An inventory of public trees will be developed of the same and posted
in the office of the Township Engineer. Property owners shall be encouraged
to nominate trees to be included in the list, and, with consent of
any owners, the Tree Advisory Board may designate such trees by marker
or device.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as provided in Chapter
1, Article
I, of this Code.