1. Exercise full and exclusive control over the regulation, planting and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery now located, or which may hereafter be planted, in any public highway, park or parkway, except such as are excluded pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:64-10 in the Borough, including the planting, trimming, spraying, care and protection thereof;
2. Regulate and control the use of the ground surrounding the same, so far as may be necessary for their proper growth, care and protection;
3. Move or require the removal of any tree, or part thereof, dangerous to public safety;
4. Care for and control such parks and parkways; encourage arboriculture; make, alter, amend and repeal, in the manner prescribed for the passage, alteration, amendment and repeal of ordinances of the Borough Council, any and all ordinances necessary or proper for carrying out the provisions hereof:
5. Administer treatment to or remove any tree, situated upon private property, if the tree is believed to harbor a disease or insects readily communicable to neighbor-ing healthy trees in the care of the Borough and enter upon private property for that purpose, with the consent of the owner thereof, provided the suspected condition is first confirmed by certificate issued by or on behalf of the Department of Agriculture.
6. Study the problems and determine the needs of the Borough in connection with its shade tree program. Assist the properly constituted officials of the Borough, including the Mayor, Borough Council, and citizens of the Borough, in the dissemination of news and information regarding the selection, planting and maintenance of trees within the Borough, whether the same be on private or public property, and to make such recommendations as it may deem appropriate to the Mayor and Borough Council as to desirable legislation concerning the tree program and activities for the Borough.
7. Provide regular and special meetings as which the subject of trees insofar as it relates to the Borough may be discussed by the members of the Shade Tree Commission, officers and personnel of the Borough and its several divisions, and all others interested in the tree program.
8. Have the authority to promulgate the rules and regulations of the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice governing the planting, main-tenance, removal, fertilization, pruning, and bracing of trees on public areas in the Borough, and direct, regulate and control the planting, maintenance and removal of all trees growing now or hereafter in any public area of the Borough. The Shade Tree Com-mission, its designated agent, or a qualified alternate designated by the Mayor shall cause the provision of this Chapter to be enforced.
9. Formulate a Master Street Tree Plan, following a hearing and the approval of the Mayor and Council of the Borough. This Plan shall specify the species of tree to be planted on each of the streets or other public sites of the Borough. From and after the effective date of the adoption of the Master Street Tree Plan, or any amend-ment thereof, all planting shall conform thereto.
10. Consideration shall be taken of all existing and future utility and environmental factors when recommending a specific species for each of the streets and other public sites of the Borough.
11. Until such time as a Municipal Arborist is engaged by the Mayor and Borough Council, the Shade Tree Commission or its designated agent shall:
    1. Supervise or inspect all work done under a Permit issued in accordance with the terms of this Chapter.
    2. Affix reasonable conditions to the granting of a Permit in accordance with the terms of this Chapter.

To view the Belmar Shade Tree Ordinance go to: Borough Belmar Shade Tree Commission Ordinance Section 31.2 of the Belmar Municipal Code, at Borough of Belmar, NJ Environment and Natural ResourcesSearch: § 31-2 SHADE TREE COMMISSION. (ecode360.com)

To view the New Jersey Legislative Statue go to: New Jersey Shade Tree Legislative Authorization: NJSA 40:64-1 N.J. Legislative Statutes (state.nj.us)

Belmar Environmental Commision – Advises and assists Mayor and Council on Environmental Issues

Fernbrook Wholesale Nursery - Striving to grow the highest quality shrubs and trees. We pledge to deliver the best service, always work to improve our quality, and keep our prices reasonable

Tree City USA

Arbor Day Foundation - Promoting tree benefits in communities

New Jersey Shade Tree Federation – A nonprofit organization that assists individuals and communities with selection and care of trees since 1926

New Jersey Society Licensed Tree Experts – Certified Licensed Tree Experts/Arborists

New Jersey Forest Service - The New Jersey Urban & Community Forestry Program (NJUCF) is where biotic and abiotic resources connect to increase the function of our urban, human-occupied ecosystems.

New Jersey One Call Mark Out Service - In need of a Utility Mark Out on your property? Call 8-1-1 or click here to submit a mark out request online before you dig in NJ

You should consult with your neighbor before taking any action because trimming a tree improperly can cause damage to the tree. If you are unable to work with your neighbor for a resolution, and the tree poses a danger to your property, you should consult with an Attorney and/or your Insurance Company. If damage has already occurred to your property or the neighbor’s tree, a consultation with your Insurance Company or an Attorney may be required. The Shade Tree Commission does not have jurisdiction over disputes relating to trees found on private property.

The homeowner is responsible for the required tree pruning where the tree originates on private property or is in the planting strip between a sidewalk and curb.

Report the problem to Belmar Shade Tree Commission or Department Public Works. Sidewalks, Planting Strip Trees and their associated Roots are the homeowner’s responsibility.

No, it is unlawful to attach anything to a street tree or tree on public property.

The property owner is responsible for any branches or debris that may fall from their trees.

Homeowners can cut down trees on their property. However, there may be limitations from clearing in restricted areas that may be present on a portion of their property such as wetlands, easements, steep slopes, etc. You are now required to apply for a permit as per the new Storm Water Management Law “MS$” that recently went into existence. We recommend the homeowner contact the Belmar Shade Tree Commission for further clarification.

The local utility company, JCP&L (Jersey Central Power & Light, a.k.a. First Energy), is responsible for removing branches near or in the electric wires. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRIM TREES NEAR ELECTRIC WIRES. Notify JCP&L 800-662-3115 of any electric wire concerns.

The homeowner is responsible for the removal of trees located on private property. For removal of a tree within the Township Right of Way, please contact Belmar Shade Tree Commission or Belmar Code Enforcement.

There is no single easy answer. Each property location can have specific differences that do not apply to the next location. Individual home survey plans associated with the tax maps should lead to a better understanding of the specific property line location and/or to the township right of way location. Licensed Surveying produces exact positions.

A close inspection of tree branch tissue and the leaf buds. Environmentally stressed trees may cause the leaves to take longer to emerge than the surrounding tree’s leaves. Contact a Certified Tree Expert (CTE) for their professional services.

Tree mulch rings installed and maintained to current arboricultural standards are simple and wonderfully beneficial to plant and tree health. Mulch beds allow for very easy weed management. Mulch beds do not eliminate weeds but allow excellent soil conditions for tree vigor and for very easy weed management. All types of mechanical damage to tree trunk tissue (string trimmers/lawn mower decks, knife carving, etc.) cause the tree stress and should be avoided. A lawn area is a harsh condition for tree roots to compete for available water and nutrients. Creating generous plant beds (ie: off the tree trunk collar and a maximum 2”-4” of mulch thickness) avoid mechanical damage to the tree trunk.

Plantings should be located off the property lines recommend at least 3 feet, off any easements (site triangle, utility, drainage, etc.) and plants should not be installed in the right of way (ROW), on township properties or in traffic sign site views. Allow sufficient space for plants to grow to maturity. Prior to planting, please call the following service (New Jersey One Call) Call Before You Dig 1-800-272-1000 and request a utility mark out to avoid any damage to existing utilities.

A Hazardous Tree or At Risk Tree means a tree with structural defects, or is dead and likely to cause failure of all or part of the tree, which could strike a "target.", people, a vehicle, a building, or a place, which pose an immediate risk, threat to life, public health, and safety, to people or property.

Belmar Preferred/Approved Street Tree planting list is posted on this web site.

Yes- most newly installed plants require above average watering. Typically, additional watering for a newly planted tree is recommended, especially during the first two years. The current understanding of balled and bur lapped trees is: 90% +- of the tree system was left at the nursery where the tree was dug. The installed tree has 10% +- root surface to absorb water. While too much water can rot trees, a thoughtful balance of extra water is typically needed for planted trees, especially for the first two (2) years.

To maintain your and the neighborhood electric supply. This continuing situation is where trees with the greatest potential for growth space have been planted right under the overhead utility wire. The trees survival mechanism continues to grow branches into the best light source- which is right where the overhead wires are! We have not discovered a usable solution for this continuing problem. You Cannot plant trees with large potential growth space under the overhead wires. Please refer to Belmar Preferred Tree List. If you have any concerns contact Belmar Shade Tree Commission before you purchase a tree to plant under overhead wires.

The municipality must maintain four separate standards or criteria:

1. Shade Tree Commission
2. A Community tree Ordinance
3. A Tree Program, Minimum $2 Per Capita
4. Arbor Day Observation & Proclamation

The Short answer is experience. And you can visit www.arborday.org for helpful tree identification links.

Please do not agitate or disturb the nests. Hornets are especially aggressive. Keep the kids from throwing stones and such at the nest- hornet stings hurt and may lead to breathing problems if the person has an allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock). Getting stung by agitating the nest is not the best way to find this out. If the tree originates on private property, it is the responsibility of the homeowner. Call a certified pesticide applicator company.

Natural tree back characteristics (London Plane) can look like a disease to many people. Excessive leaf fall or too little leaf emergence in the springtime could be a disease. Accurate diagnosis, pest or cultural problems in trees, take experience. Please call your local Certified Tree Expert (CTE).

First check for mechanical damage to the trunk, and call your local Certified Tree Expert (CTE).

There are certain species of trees and plants that should not be planted. Invasive species are those that are introduced to an area outside their natural range where they eventually have detrimental effects on natural and agricultural systems. You should not plant invasive species on your property because they can cause harm and damage to other trees that are in close proximity or grow so out of control that they are encroaching onto your neighbor’s properties. One example of an invasive and nuisance species is Bamboo. Bamboo grows rapidly and strangles the surrounding root systems of other trees, thus killing the trees. Refer to www.arborday.com and other websites for a listing of other invasive species.

Your property may have protected or restricted areas such as conservation easements, wetlands, wetland buffers or steep slopes where tree and brush removal are prohibited. Conservation easements are deed restricted. Wetlands and wetland buffers are regulated by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. No tree or brush should be cleared in these areas without the appropriate Township or State approval. If you have a dead or hazardous tree in one of these protected areas, contact Belmar Shade Tree Commission or Belmar Code Enforcement to notify them prior to removal. No stumps are to be grounded or removed in these protected areas. To find out if a tree is hazardous, contact a Certified Tree Expert (CTE).

For a listing of plants that are toxic to horses, dogs or cats, visit the following website: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants

A Hazardous Stump means an uprooted tree stump, or remnant thereof where the stump itself extends above the existing grade or the stump has been removed and/or has not been backfilled properly. Both situations pose an immediate risk, threat to life, public health, and safety to people and property. Stumps in the planting strip must be removed to 8-12 inches below the grade and backfilled to grade and compacted.

A Hazardous Tree means a tree with structural defects likely to cause failure of all or part of the tree, which could strike a "target.", people, a vehicle, a building, or a place, which pose an immediate risk, threat to life, public health, and safety, to people or property.

pdf CLICK HERE(1.84 MB)  to download the “MS4” Municipal Stormwater Management Belmar Shade Tree Commission Permitting Assessment

1. What is it? Revised set of stormwater regulations directly impact tree management & water cycle

1. Why introduced? Improve water quality, & groundwater re-charge, reduce erosion, pollution, runoff, flooding and improve groundwater recharge  

2. Who must adhere? All NJ municipalities must update stormwater ordinance to comply with new rules  

3. Prior MS4 – Belmar Shade Tree Commission had full & exclusive control over regulation, planning and care of shade trees, ornamental, & shrubbery now located  in any public highway, park or parkway, pedestrian corridor. 

4. Now with MS4 – Expanded for removal, replacement of all trees under Municipal Stormwater MS4 permitting process, all  areas of community, public & private property

Yes both trees in the planting strip and trees on private property are governed by the Belmar Shade Tree Ordinance.