Stafford Township, NJ Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

A specimen tree under § 130-53A is one of the largest known individual trees of each species in the State of New Jersey, as kept on a list by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Forestry, any tree equal to or larger than a listed tree, or any tree designated by the Stafford Environmental Commission. Section 130-53B calls these trees an irreplaceable scientific and scenic resource and declares it the legislative policy of Stafford Township to preserve and protect them.

Under § 130-53C, all development is prohibited that would significantly reduce the amount of light reaching the crown of a specimen tree, alter the drainage patterns within the site, adversely affect the quality of water reaching the site, cause erosion or the depositing of material in or directly adjacent to the tree, or otherwise injure it. The site of the tree extends to the outer limit of the buffer area or 50 feet from the tree, whichever is greater. The Zoning Officer of the Township or his designee administers and enforces the section (§ 130-53D).

Other parts of the land development chapter back this up. Section 130-51J requires every land development plan to identify and locate specimen trees, and the designer must attempt to preserve them as design features and focal points. Section 130-52 limits clearing: an owner or developer removes only the trees necessary to build the improvements the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment authorized, and before final site plan or subdivision approval and any necessary zoning permits, no existing tree can be removed or disturbed. Section 130-72 requires grading to minimize damage to trees, including protective barriers such as four-foot-high snow fence or silt fence along the drip line or not less than 10 feet from trees.