Increased Tree Removal Discussed By Mendham Township Committee

MENDHAM, NJ — Ash trees have been dying at increased rates in Mendham Township, according to a representative of the Mendham Township Tree Protection Committee.

Concerns over public safety and the increase in dying trees have led the Mendham Township Committee to introduce an ordinance that would allow for funds to be allocated for the removal of dangerous and infected trees.

The ordinance would authorize the township to use money from the Open Space Trust Fund to cut, remove, or otherwise make safe parts of open space and recreation areas traversed by trails and hiking paths open to the public.

At the July 24 committee meeting, Brian Hays, a representative of the Mendham Township Tree Protection Committee, told the mayor and committee members that the township's infection rate has been steadily increasing over the years.

Hays warned against increased activity from the emerald ash borer beetle and asked residents to check their trees for this destructive infestation. This invasive species kills ash trees by tunneling through the bark, disrupting the tree's vascular system, and preventing nutrients from reaching the leaves.

Infested ash trees can quickly deteriorate and become dangerous, with limbs falling on your personal property, your neighbor's personal property, sidewalks and roadways.

According to Hayes, the Tree Protection Committee was awarded a grant five years ago to inventory all of Mendham Township's roads for ash trees. When they finished the survey, the total was around 5,000.

"Because of the scope of the problem and the number of trees, the township committee passed an ordinance, placing the responsibility of removing the dead or hazardous trees in the township right of way on the property owner," Hays said.

According to Hayes, leaving the burden in the hands of the public was causing concern among the committee due to the rapid progression of ash tree disease. "Considering the potential liability in the event of an injury or death, it makes sense to address the trees with advanced deterioration as soon as possible," Hays said.

The ordinance, which the committee must yet approve, would limit the town's use of Open Space Trust Fund money to six months. Officials stated that the funds might also be utilized to educate the public and issue cautions about wild or distant regions where tree removal is impractical.

According to the municipality, the ordinance was necessary since the cost of managing and cutting down potentially hundreds of ash trees exceeded the usual municipal budget's restrictions.

The ash tree now accounts for approximately 10 percent of the tree canopy in Mendham Township, and the disease is expected to wipe off all of those trees over time as the disease spreads.