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.