East Orange, NJ Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Planting authority
- Only Public Works Dept. or its designated agent, § 51-193M(2)
- Small-tree spacing
- 15 to 20 feet on center
- Medium-tree spacing
- 20 to 35 feet on center
- Large-tree spacing
- 25 to 45 feet on center
- Minimum stock size
- 3-inch caliper, nursery-grown
Summary
In the City of East Orange, street trees go in on both sides of every public street per an approved landscape plan, only the Public Works Department or its designated agent may plant on public highways, and species are spaced 15 to 45 feet apart on center depending on the tree's mature height.
Trees on public and private property. (1) Location. Street trees shall be installed on both sides of all public streets in accordance with the approved landscape plan. Trees shall either be massed at critical points or spaced evenly along the street, or both. ... (2) Planting shade or ornamental trees on public highways. No shade or ornamental tree or shrub shall be planted by anyone but a representative of the Public Works Department or its designated agent in any of the public highways of this City. (3) Tree and bush size and spacing. Trees and shrubs shall be planted according to the following spacing requirements: (a) Trees. [1] Small trees which have an ultimate height of 25 feet shall be planted 15 to 20 feet intervals on center.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 51-193M, "Trees on public and private property," opens with the location rule: street trees are installed on both sides of all public streets under the approved landscape plan, either massed at critical points or spaced evenly along the street. Subsection M(2) restricts who may do the planting: "No shade or ornamental tree or shrub shall be planted by anyone but a representative of the Public Works Department or its designated agent in any of the public highways of this City," a rule repeated again under § 51-193P(1) for tree requests.
The spacing schedule in M(3)(a) sets three tiers by ultimate height: small trees (up to 25 feet) go in 15 to 20 feet apart on center, medium trees (26 to 40 feet) go in 20 to 35 feet apart, and large trees (over 40 feet) go in 25 to 45 feet apart and must avoid conflicts with driveways, fire hydrants and utility poles. Section 51-193M(4) supplies a preferred street-tree species list, including red maple, green ash and Japanese zelkova, and M(5) requires a minimum three-inch caliper, nursery-grown stock with straight trunks, with dead or dying trees replaced by the owner the next planting season. Subsection N(2) separately bans planting mulberry, wild cherry or sumac anywhere in the city.
Violations & Fines
Section 51-193R makes any violation of the landscaping section punishable under § 51-45's penalty (set under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5), and § 51-193Q bars anyone from interfering with Public Works personnel carrying out their duties under the section; planting or removing a street tree without Public Works involvement, per § 51-193M(2) and P(1), is itself a violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is allowed to plant a street tree in East Orange?
How far apart must street trees be spaced?
What size tree stock does East Orange require for planting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Orange
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Essex County handle parkway planting.