Howell, NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Trimming trees along a Howell Township street is controlled by the Director of Public Works. Under Howell Township Code § 188-191D(1), no person cuts, trims, breaks, climbs with spikes, disturbs the roots of or removes any living tree of four inches or more DBH in a right-of-way, Township open space, public street, road or highway without first obtaining written permission from the Director of Public Works or the administrative officer. Section 188-191E adds that a person who wants to control the growth of an existing tree on a public highway, street or road or right-of-way by removing or pruning it contacts the Director of Public Works and requests the work.

The Township can also act on its own initiative. Under § 188-192B, the Director of Public Works, in consultation with the Township-certified tree expert, state-certified forester or Township Manager, can remove any tree or part of a tree dangerous to public safety at the request and expense of the owner, only if it impacts Township roadways or Township-owned properties. Where public safety affecting public rights-of-way or the flow of vehicular traffic is at stake, the Director notifies the owner of the property to remove, trim or thin the trees. If the owner fails to act, the Director removes the trees and charges the actual cost to the owner. Unpaid costs are certified to the Collector of Taxes and collected like other taxes. No person can prevent, delay or interfere with that lawful work (§ 188-192A).

Cleanup is mandatory. Section 188-197 says all toppings and slash generated by felling individual trees or trimming trees cannot be left on the ground of the lot and must be removed immediately. Section 188-189 defines toppings as the uppermost 20% of a tree constituting its crown.

Utility lines follow separate rules. Section 188-190E exempts pruning and removal by utility companies for line clearance from the article, and § 188-191H states that the Township relies on each utility's certified maintenance crews and in no way recommends that a homeowner prune or remove trees in a utility right-of-way on his own.