Hamilton, NJ Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 550-130, Landscaping and buffers, sets the design standards every site plan and subdivision landscaping plan must follow in Hamilton Township, and Subsection A(10) is the operative street tree rule: street trees must be planted along all public rights-of-way at an average interval of 40 feet on center, and the species chosen is subject to approval by the Department of Community and Economic Development rather than left to the applicant. The subsection cross-references § 550-125, Streets, curbs, sidewalks and bike paths, for additional design standards on the rights-of-way where those trees sit. The same section sets the broader planting specifications that apply alongside the street tree spacing rule: deciduous trees must be at least 2 1/2 inches in caliper and evergreens at least five feet tall at planting, all balled and burlapped, and off-street parking areas must provide one tree for every 10 parking spaces plus landscaping over at least 5% of the lot.

Street tree plantings are enforced through the site plan and subdivision review process before the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, since § 550-130A requires a landscaping plan to accompany every site plan application showing where the required trees will go. Separately, § 550-117 requires a one-for-one replacement for any street tree removed, and where a development would clear a contiguous stand of trees, § 550-130's woodland-replacement formula (100 trees per acre lost, capped at 40% conifers) applies on top of, not instead of, the required street tree plantings described in this section. A developer who cannot fit required plantings on site must instead contribute replacement trees to the Township valued at 130% of the required number, at $400 per tree, per § 550-130.