How Edison Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide
Edison maintains 121 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Edison falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Protected Tree Species
Edison Township singles out 'specimen trees', any tree with a trunk diameter of sixteen inches or more, for extra protection: development plans must map and try to preserve them.
Key details: Specimen threshold: 16-inch D.B.H.. Requirement: Individually mapped & identified. Preservation goal: Relocate infrastructure if needed. Applies to: Subdivision/site plan applications.
Damaging or removing a specimen tree outside an approved plan is a separate Chapter 25 violation, penalized under the Township's general penalty, § 1-5: up to $2,000 or 90 days per tree.
Parkway Planting
New development in Edison must plant one shade tree for every 50 feet of right-of-way frontage, plus perimeter trees around larger parking lots, under Township Code § 25-10.1.
Key details: Street trees required: 1 per 50 ft frontage. Parking lot trigger: 10+ vehicle spaces. Applies to: new development plans. Governing body: Planning/Zoning Board review.
Shade tree planting is enforced through development-plan approval: a project without the required street or parking-lot trees on its plans will not receive Planning or Zoning Board sign-off under Chapter 25.
The Bottom Line
Edison's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Edison is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Edison's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.