Trees along Essex County roads and in county parks are trimmed by the County Department of Public Works. Private-property and municipal street-tree pruning is governed by each town's shade tree commission under N.J.S.A. 40:64, which excludes county roads.
The County of Essex Department of Public Works maintains roughly 7,000 street trees along county roadways and handles trimming and removal for damaged or dead limbs, trees that block signs, signals, streets, or sidewalks. County crews handle county-road trees; residents report a problem tree or request work through the county rather than doing it themselves. On municipal streets and in most neighborhoods, tree care is the job of the town's shade tree commission, created by ordinance under N.J.S.A. 40:64, which by statute excludes county highways, parks, and parkways unless the county assents. Trees entirely on private property are generally the owner's responsibility, subject to any municipal shade tree or tree-preservation ordinance. Always match the tree's location to the right authority
Trimming or damaging a county street tree without authorization can draw a county enforcement response and restoration cost. Pruning a municipal street or shade tree without the local shade tree commission's approval violates the town ordinance adopted under N.J.S.A. 40:64.
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