Mahwah Chapter 14 protects mature trees by regulating any specimen 12 inches or greater in diameter and requiring township review before any removal, cutting, or substantial injury occurs.
Mahwah does not use a separate heritage tree registry, but Chapter 14 functions as a heritage-tree framework by giving regulatory protection to all trees with a diameter of 12 inches or greater, or circumference greater than 38 inches at ground level, on privately owned property. DBH (diameter at breast height) is measured 4.5 feet above ground, and where the trunk divides below that height, measurement is taken at the highest point before division. Removal of these protected trees requires a permit, a pre-removal inspection, and replacement plantings drawn from native northern New Jersey hardwoods such as oak, maple, and hickory.
Removing a protected tree without a permit results in fines up to $2,000 per tree, plus required replacement plantings or a payment into the Mahwah Tree Bank.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle heritage & protected trees.
See how Mahwah's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
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