85 New Trees Being Planted Throughout Cranford

CRANFORD, NJ — The Township of Cranford is planting 85 new trees around the community this week as part of an initiative from the Shade Tree Commission.

The volunteer group ensures proper care of the Cranford community forestry. Nine voting members oversee regulation, planting, and care for shade and ornamental greens on public property.

The Township said the new trees are being implemented to continue strengthening the health of the local ecosystem and secure Cranford's "Tree City USA" status.

"In the first two years, over 300 trees have been planted around town, a plan to remove tree stumps is in place, and the equipment to do that has been purchased with capital funds," Commission Liaison Dr. Terrence Curran told Patch. Curran also wrote the original ordinance to develop the group.

Each year, the Arbor Day Foundation nonprofit honors cities and towns across the United States that use urban forestry to better the livability and sustainability of their local areas. The global organization has partnered with local initiatives for more than 50 years, planting more than half a billion trees worldwide.

In order to qualify for the "Tree City USA" distinction, a city must maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrate Arbor Day.

Cranford is looking to earn its second consecutive honor. The community was recognized in 2024 for planting 111 trees and creating a tree nursery to grow more plants to distribute throughout the neighborhood and add to the tree canopy.

"This has been a very successful and productive commission," Curran added, "and I'm confident this work will continue to positively impact Cranford."

After the new 85 trees are in the ground, the Shade Tree Commission will have planted 125 trees so far this year, according to Superintendent of the Shade Tree Commission Erik Hastrup.

A location map for all of the trees being planted was not immediately available.

All trees in the Cranford right-of-way or on Cranford property must be handled by a designated Cranford tree crew. Residents are not allowed to have an outside tree business work on Township trees.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Shade Tree Superintendent at 908-709-7205 or shadetreecommission@cranfordnj.org.

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