As unfortunate as it may be, many Westfield property owners are faced with the difficult decision to remove established, curbside trees that provided decades of natural beauty and character. Most often the property owner’s decision to remove such a tree is predicated by their discovery the tree is diseased and, consequently, jeopardizes nearby safety or excessive root growth has damaged nearby sidewalks, pipes or curbs.
Once the costly tree removal is completed, the property owner
is faced with a new problem:
What options are available to replace a tree?
One option is to plant a new tree at the property owner’s expense and discretion. However, if the property owner wishes to plant a tree at or near the sidewalk, the Town of Westfield has an alternative program.
Upon the request of the property owner, the Town of
Westfield will fund and plan a new tree on your property. In most cases,
trees may be planted on the house-side of the sidewalk!
Claude Shaffer, Superintendent, Department of Public Works,
and Scott Ehrilicher, manage Westfield’s Residential Tree Program and offer a
variety of trees, including oaks, elms and seedless ginkgos. Sorry, no Bradford
Pears.
If you’re interested in utilizing this program, please
contact Claude at (908) 789-4100 ext. 614 or via e-mail at dpw@westfieldnj.net. Trees are planted
twice per year (spring and fall), so contact Claude soon if you’re interested
in planting a new tree this spring.