Township Shade Tree Committee Needs Your Help

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by Lawrence Township.

Benefits of trees are well recognized. Trees in cities and towns help clean the air by filtering particulates, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Trees conserve soil and water; moderate temperatures, shelter homes from strong winds, and reduce energy bills.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture the net cooling effect of a young healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. Also according to the U.S. Forest Service, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to property values. Trees increase privacy and help absorb traffic noise. The positive effects of trees surpass the negative effects, which can be eliminated or reduced by planting the right tree species.

In 1996, Lawrence Township received Tree City USA designation by The National Arbor Day Foundation.

To qualify to be a Tree City, a community must meet four standards:

1. Have a tree board or commission (Lawrence Township established the Shade Tree Advisory Committee consisting of seven members);
2. Have a community tree ordinance that establishes policies for planting, maintenance and removals;
3. Have a community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita; and
4. Hold an Arbor Day observance and issue a proclamation.

The Shade Tree Advisory Committee was created by Township ordinance to perform the following functions:

1. Advise the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment on all applications for site plan and subdivision applications as such applications may have an effect upon or need for shade trees within existing or proposed public or private rights-of-way.
2. Recommend to Township Council programs of shade tree improvement, planting and replacement along public rights-of-way within the Township.
3. Recommend to Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment standards, types and planting specifications for shade trees required in accordance with subdivision and site plan review.
4. Advise the Township Council of shade tree concerns on public property and along public rights-of-way

In the course of performing these functions the Committee has created and disseminated educational material for residents regarding tree planting and preservation. Recently, the Committee has instituted a memorial tree program. To accomplish its goals, the Committee seeks the participation of Township residents.

Lawrence Township is quite fortunate to have many trees, large and small.  The larger trees represent many years of growth and provide welcome shade and visual enhancement to the community.  Other trees of all sizes possess special significance with historical, cultural or scientific attributes.

The Shade Tree Advisory Committee of Lawrence Township intends to preserve these trees and welcomes the assistance of Lawrence Township residents to do so.

At the present time, high priority goes to preserving specimen trees.

A specimen tree is “a tree with a diameter of 30 inches or greater; a unique, rare, or otherwise specifically selected plant or tree that most typically represents a whole class or group in shape or form; a tree of historical importance; or a tree specifically designated as such by the municipality” (Lawrence Township Land Use Ordinance).

Residents can assist the Shade Tree Advisory Committee by providing the following information regarding specimen trees:

1. Location:  Please describe the location by street address or other identification of location.  In addition, please note if the tree is in the front yard, side yard, between sidewalk and street or similar details; 
2. Species if known; 
3. Diameter:  Measure the diameter at about 4 feet above the surrounding ground.  The preferred method is to wrap a tape measure around the tree at the measurement height.  Take this measurement of circumference and divide by 3.14 to get the diameter. 
4. Condition:  Please describe general condition including notations of dead wood, damaged areas, evident disease and similar concerns.

Other significant trees, although not qualifying as specimen trees, are also of interest to the Committee.

Additional information about The Shade Tree Advisory Committee can be found on the Lawrence Township web site at www.lawrencetwp.com.

Please send information/comments to:

Clerk’s Office

Attention:  Shade Tree Advisory Committee

Township of Lawrence

PO Box 6006

Lawrenceville, N.J.  08648

For other inquires contact: Andrew Link, Principal Planner at (609) 844-7087 (alink@lawrencetwp.com).

The members of The Shade Tree Advisory Committee thank the Lawrence community for its cooperation and assistance.

Shade Tree Committee members:

• Carmine Di Sanzo, Chairman                        
• Rosemarie Clark
• Edward S. Sproles, Vice Chairman               
• Alvin Geser
• Doris M. Weisberg                                         
• Janet Kane
• Judith F. Bubar
• Michael S. Powers, Council Liaison