The Township has instituted a process for landowners who wish to remove trees from their property by obtaining a tree removal permit. Removal of a tree classified as a significant tree is either a deciduous tree (one that loses its leaves each fall) that could reach a mature height of 50 feet, or an evergreen tree that could reach a mature height of 30 feet.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
CERTIFIED ARBORIST
An individual who earned and currently maintains the certification of Arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture.
DECIDUOUS
Trees that drop their leaves for part of the year.
DISEASED TREE
A tree that is irretrievably diseased or infested with insects that cannot be treated at a reasonable cost.
EVERGREEN
Trees that maintain their leaves throughout the year.
NEW JERSEY CERTIFIED TREE EXPERT
An individual who earned and currently maintains the certification Certified Tree Expert (CTE) from the New Jersey Society of Tree Experts.
PRIVATE TREE
Any tree located on lands not owned by the Township of Plainsboro or any other governmental entity.
SIGNIFICANT TREE
Deciduous trees at a mature height greater than 50 feet, evergreen trees at a mature height greater than 30 feet and not considered ornamental.
SUBSTANTIAL HARM
Includes girdling; excessive pruning or thinning not in conformance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and application of any substance toxic to the tree.
TREE
Any woody plant with a main stem or multiple stems having branches protruding above the root flare that is categorized as a deciduous or evergreen.
TREE REMOVAL
The process of removing a tree, which includes the complete removal of the trunk, hauling away and properly disposing of all logs, branches and leaves associated with the removed tree and grinding of the stump 6 1/2 inches below grade.
All applicants are hereby granted the right to appeal a denial to the Township Administrator within 10 business days of the Township's designated officials report. The Township Administrator shall have 30 days to hear the matter after the filing of the appeal. The Township Administrator may affirm, reverse or modify the original decision and thus constitute the final administrative determination of the application.