Borough of Milltown
Shade Tree Commission
 

 

    

Established in 1997, the Milltown Shade Tree Commission is a group of 5 members and 2 alternates who are appointed by the Mayor to each serve a 5-year term. The work we do is completely volunteer and consists of one regularly scheduled monthly meeting and additional meetings to inspect trees, water and care for newly planted trees, and work on special projects such as grant proposals. Currently, the Commission is as follows:
 

Eugene Guerra - Chairman

Mike Lewecky - Vice Chairman
John Collins - Council Liaison
Paul Cowie - Certified Tree Expert
Silvarama Venkatesan
Steve Gregus
Bill Reimer
Debbie Acerno (Alternate)


 

Are you interested in trees and want to help?
The 3rd Monday of each month at 7:30pm we meet at Borough Hall, come meet with us to share your opinions and give a hand!
 
Mission Statement
The Milltown Shade Tree Commission recognizes that shade trees are an asset to the community, improve the quality of life of its residents, and contribute toward a better environment. To obtain these benefits requires proper tree care, maintenance, removal and replacement.

Our primary goals are to care for the existing trees in our community and to continue to plant and/or replant trees throughout Milltown.

Tree Permits
Want to plant a tree?
Remove a tree?
Prune a tree?

Follow these easy steps:
1. Stop by the borough clerk’s office on Washington Avenue and fill out a request for the work you want to do or would like to have done on any street tree or tree on public property. There is no fee for this application.
2.Your application will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled meeting on the 3rd Monday of the month.
3. Members of the Shade Tree Commission will inspect tree or trees, provide advice if appropriate, and approve or reject your application based on the health of the tree and the circumstances associated with your permit request. If approval for pruning or removal is obtained, the property owner may contract to have this work performed at his/her own expense; or may request that Milltown’s Public Works Department perform the work. Tree maintenance activities are scheduled on a first come, first served basis except in cases of emergency. If wanting to plant a tree, you may proceed as soon as approved or request to have one planted by the Borough. This is also scheduled on a first come, first served basis and is subject to availability.
4. This information is entered into a Master database that we use to keep an accurate inventory of the locations and conditions of each and every tree in the borough’s right-of-ways.
 5. If you have an emergency situation, please call or stop by Borough Hall and explain your situation, and we will try to process your application immediately.

Reminder: A permit must be applied for through the Borough clerk’s office prior to doing work on any tree in the borough right-of-way. There is no fee for this permit.

Special Note: Please report abuse or damage of any tree located in the Borough right-of-way to the Borough Clerk’s Office.

Permits required for street Trees:
According to Ordinance, permits are required to:
(1) Cut, prune, climb with spikes, break, damage or remove or kill. (2) Cut, disturb or interfere in any way with any root. (3) Spray with any chemical. (4)Fasten any rope, wire, sign or other device. (5) Remove or damage any guard or device placed to protect any tree or shrub. (6) Conduct razing, removal or renovation of any structure if deemed, by the Commission, to be damaging to neighboring street trees. (7) Place or distribute chemicals, including, but not limited to, salt deleterious to tree health. (8) Maintain a stationary fire or device which vaporizes noxious fumes deleterious to tree health. (9) Remove soil, either for trenching or otherwise. (10) Construct new sidewalks and/or driveways with any material whatsoever within 5 feet of a tree. (11) Plant any tree or shrub within the designated area under the control of the Commission.
 

Tree Information Links
How to Plant a Tree, Free on line Videos

  

The Right Tree in the Right Place
 The MSTC strives to choose the correct tree for each location based on the tree’s ultimate size. In the past, many trees were incorrectly placed which has resulted in raised sidewalks and extensive curb damage. To prevent this situation from occurring with all newly planted trees, the following guidelines should be followed:

1. Apply for a permit to plant a tree in the Borough’s right-of-way. We have many years of horticultural experience, and we will only plant trees which will do best in your location. We take into account the size of the strip, over head utilities and underground utilities.

2. You can go online at http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/ to view an extensive list of trees. This is a USDA description of 680 trees. It is a great reference tool that can be used to gather information about any tree you are considering buying for your home.

3. The MSTC will install a root-barrier product called DeepRoot. This product is installed when planting near a sidewalk or curb and creates a physical barrier 18” deep that forces the tree roots to go beneath the sidewalk. This product has proven itself in many towns to prevent future sidewalk upheaval.

4. Participate in the Front Yard Program and don't plant trees between the curb and sidewalk. (see below for details). This is the best solution to avoid future problems.

            
 

The Front Yard Program:
 Rather then plant trees in the area between the sidewalk and curb, we are encouraging residents to allow the Shade Tree Commission to plant trees on their front yard. Here is how the program works: 1-Trees will be planted within 15 feet of a public street. 2-Property owners must sign an “Access Authorization Agreement” granting permission for Milltown to plant a tree on your lawn beyond the Borough Right-of-Way. The Tree(s) then become the property of the homeowner. 3-The labor to plant the tree(s) will be provided free by the Borough of Milltown. 4-The tree(s) will be provided free by the Borough. 5-DeepRoot will be installed along the side walk to prevent any possible future lifting of the side walk. 6-The maximum size of the trees to be planted is 2-2.5 inches caliper (usually 10 to 12 feet in height). 7-An appropriate tree will be selected for your yard. A small area will get a small tree, a medium area a medium tree, a large area a large tree. Only species suitable for the planting location will be planted. 8-The tree is guaranteed only to be free of insects and disease at time of planting. 9-The planting method shall meet or exceed all requirements of the American Association of Nurserymen. 10-We are asking the property owner to water the tree at least weekly during the summer for two years.

If you are interest in participating in the Front Yard Program please contract the Milltown Shade Tree Commission at 732-249-8037 or email me at guerraep@umdnj.edu, give your name, address and phone number an we will send you detailed information about the program.

What is DeepRoot and why use it?
 DeepRoot is a mechanical (plastic) barrier that redirects root growth downward, eliminating the surface rooting that damages sidewalks and curbs and creates a hazard. Used both in new tree planting and root pruning applications to save the value and beauty of mature trees, DeepRoot is an important tool in the elimination of this costly problem.

Exactly how does DeepRoot work? DeepRoot takes advantage of the natural growth habits of roots. As a root tip travels out from the root ball the tip will come in contact with the barrier. The Barrier will force the roots to grow down.

This process of guiding the root down and then out from underneath the barrier enables the tree to grow to its full potential while eliminating the surface rooting and buttress root effect that damages sidewalks and curbs. DeepRoot is not a cure all but combined with planting the right tree in the right place, it is an important tool to help eliminate sidewalk and curb damage

It is the policy of the Shade Tree Commission to use DeepRoot when planting new trees within 6 feet of a sidewalk and/or curb. If a resident is planting his own tree within 6 feet of a sidewalk, the Shade Tree Commission will provide free DeepRoot for installation. For more information go to: www.deeproot.com

 
Downloadable PDFs from the University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture

Planting and Establishing Trees

Pruning Young Trees

Site Evaluation

Tree Root Growth After Planting

Trees and Rubber Sidewalks

Trees in Our Town

Do you need to know how to plant a tree? Prune a tree? or have other questions about trees? Would you like them on a Power Point Presentation? Would you like that advise from one of the leading experts on trees?

Then Go to: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/powerpoints.html

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
For more information go to: www.arborday.org/index.cfm

 

ATTENTION MILLTOWN RESIDENTS: WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF YOUR SEWER LINE?? THE HOMEOWNER IS FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR LEAKS, REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT. MORE BAD NEWS, RIGHT!?!? NOT ENTIRELY. READ ON…

The sewer line is often impacted by tree roots which intrude into cracked and leaking pipes searching for nutrients and water. This has caused many blockages and ruptures in the line which are both costly to the homeowner’s wallet and to the environment. The solution has been to replace the line at significant cost. The pipe would be dug up, both in your yard and into the street. Roto-Rooter estimates the average cost of open excavation is $191.75 per foot when calculating in the expense of landscaping, sidewalk and road repairs. Often the tree would also be removed.

The Milltown Shade Tree Commission is pleased to present a less costly alternative we would like you to consider: TRENCHLESS SEWER REHABILITATION! Usually, the average cost of sewer relining is $100 to $150 per linear foot. Roto-Rooter is offering Milltowners a 30% discount on their sanitary sewer line refurbishing, only costing the homeowner and estimated $70 to $105 per foot. The benefits besides the discount: No need to excavate; No damage to or removal of your lawn, landscaping, trees, curb, road, or sidewalks! Start to finish is usually one day and is not weather affected. For more information, please call Roto-Rooter at 732-448-0130 and ask for Mr. Fred Stewart or visit www.rotorooter.com (click on "services". Look at the left column and click on "Trenchless Excavation". Read information and follow the instructions.  They even have a video that explains the system!).

This offer is for residential use only. If your sewer line is not currently affected by tree roots, you may still take part in this offer. As our infrastructure ages it is prone to failure. This may be a pre-emptive solution to a future. This discount is a one time only offer and expires September 23, 2005. Depending upon your individual circumstances, other charges and conditions may apply. Contact Mr. Stewart at 732-448-0130 for more information.

The Milltown Shade Tree Commission and it’s members cannot endorse this or any other for profit venture. We are merely suggesting another option for homeowners.

Plumbers Using Trenchless Pipe Replacement Technology to Save Trees
Plumbers who’ve sacrificed trees in the past now work to save them.
Trenchless sewer pipe replacement, allows broken underground pipes to be replaced without digging the conventional trenches that disturb trees.
(From: “Tree Care Industry” magazine: Vol. XV, No. 4 - April 2004, pg. 68-69)

On April 30, Americans will celebrate Arbor Day, the national observance that encourages and celebrates tree planting and tree care. Each year, thousands of trees are planted on Arbor Day but sadly, many nature trees are lost at the hands of plumbers.

Tree roots are naturally drawn to leaky sewer pipes as a source of water and nutrients. Roots enter pipes through cracks and seams allowing the trees to thrive. That is, until the roots grow large enough to break the pipes, forcing homeowners to seek repairs.

Repairing broken underground pipes often equates to a death sentence for nearby trees. Now Roto-Rooter, a long-time provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services, is using innovative technology to save trees. This environmentally friendly technology, called Trenchless sewer pipe replacement, allows broken underground pipes to be replaced without digging the conventional trenches that disturbs trees.

Before trenchless technology, lawns, driveways, landscaping and, most importantly, trees were often destroyed during the process of replacing underground sewer pipes. Plumbers routinely had to cut a wide swathe through nutrient gathering root fields in order to expose and replace broken sewer pipes. This process, more often than not, left surrounding trees to wither and die. Many times the trees were simply cut down to make way for the work because experience proved they would never survive the process.

Recognizing the inconveniences and risks homeowners, businesses and communities were enduring, Roto-Rooter implemented trenchless technology to eliminate the wear, tear, and expense caused by traditional excavation, “In the old days, the only consideration was a clear pathway for the pipes, but we were forced to kill a lot of trees that way”, says Paul Abrams, spokesman for Roto-Rooter. “Trenchless technology allows us to consider the entire environmental picture and now we go out of our way to preserve trees.”

This trenchless excavation technology uses equipment adapted from the gas industry to enter the ground via a small access hole. Using the existing broken sewer line as a guide, Roto-Rooter’s hydraulic machinery pulls full-sized replacement pipe through the old path while breaking up the damaged pipe at the same time. The small entrance and exit holes can be quickly refilled, leaving little or no evidence of excavation. Most importantly, the new pipeline doesn't intrude into a trees root system beyond the compact space of the original pipeline, which means trees in the area are almost entirely unaffected.
The new high-density polyethylene pipe is fused without joints to eliminate root intrusion or leaking and it has a longer life expectancy than any previous pipe material. This means a water or sewer pipeline can peacefully co-exist with surrounding trees for generations to come.

“Trees benefit the community environmentally and aesthetically,” says Abrams. “We’ve always regretted the fact that trees were sacrificed during the course of certain jobs, but now we’re working to save them”.


 

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