Letter to the Editor from Borough Shade Tree Commission

Haddonfield’s Shade Tree Commission (STC) is appointed by the Mayor, under Borough code.  Meeting 10 times a year, we manage the Borough’s 9,500 street trees, guided by a Community Forestry Management Plan approved by the state forestry service. There are five regular members and two alternate members, all Borough residents. We are required by the state to attend regular training sessions; some members have significant, additional expertise in horticulture and tree care.  

The STC is involved in the Borough’s capital project planning, as these projects have a significant effect on street trees. Early in the planning phase, the Borough engineer previews the project with the STC. Once project plans are delivered, the STC meets again with the borough engineer for a detailed review and to “walk” the area together.

Tree removals are hotly debated and individually decided. Sometimes, the decisions are mandated, for example, to accommodate handicap access ramps near corners. Other decisions are less clear-cut, turning on tree age, size, condition, appropriateness of species and longer-term survivability. As advocates for the trees, we consider both the scope of the project and the impact of removing any one tree. Our primary goal is to protect the tree canopy over Haddonfield’s streets, enhancing residents’ quality of life and the economic value of their properties. We look forward through time to ensure that tomorrow’s Haddonfield will be as appealing as Haddonfield is today.

Following are some of our considerations regarding the cherry tree located in front of 25 Tanner St.:

- The odd-numbered side of the street has no overhead wires except for "drops", the wires delivering service directly to each building.  We strive to capture that open overhead space, planting our tallest shade trees with the broadest canopy. A mature oak or tulip poplar, to name two such trees, reaches over 75 feet, shading the street and the sidewalks and living over 100 years.  The cherry tree at 25 Tanner, an ornamental tree, has already reached its mature height, approximately 30 feet. In contrast, the low overhead wires on the even-numbered side of Tanner limit our plantings to broader trees with an open canopy that will withstand rigorous trimming over time to accommodate the wires. 

- The park strip in front of 25 Tanner is quite long, over 30 feet. By removing the cherry, which sits in the center of the park strip, we could plant two trees, thereby increasing the shade canopy on Tanner. 

- The cherry is a short-lived tree. While this tree may look good today, it already shows evidence of old age, with hollows and carpenter ants. It will begin to fail within five years, as have the cherry trees on Jefferson, for example. The STC has not planted cherry trees for many years for these reasons.

- There will be considerable curb, sidewalk and street construction in the area of 25 Tanner. While the tree would survive, its roots would be gravely damaged and its already short life further shortened.

Based on our detailed review of the Tanner Street construction plans, there will be a number of trees coming down due to unavoidable construction damage, disease such as Bacterial Leaf Scorch, accommodations for handicapped access and additional street parking. As part of this planning process, we also looked at replanting needs. We expect that over time the shade coverage on Tanner Street will be greatly increased and the condition and appearance of the trees improved.

We are sorry that this issue has taken on an adversarial tone. As volunteers, we spend hundreds of hours annually planning, planting our annual new 80-90 trees, watering and meeting with residents and others concerned with our borough’s trees. As “tree huggers,” we lament each tree removal, but work to maintain the perspective to ensure that Haddonfield’s urban forest remains safe, healthy and full.

Sincerely,

The Haddonfield Shade Tree Commission members

Bill Polise (Chair); Marjorie Coar; Jeff Hammon; Robin Potter; Anne Walters