Helpful Information for Residents


Flood Road Closed


How Can Berkeley Heights Manage Flooding?


It’s clear: The primary cause of flooding problems is too many impervious surfaces that drain directly onto adjoining properties and into our storm sewers and waterways. This is particularly a problem with major rain events, and these are expected to become more frequent and more severe due to climate change. We need to intercept stormwater runoff by capturing it at source, infiltrating it into the ground, reusing it or releasing it more slowly.

The Environmental Commission is promoting the use of “green infrastructure” to do this wherever possible. Green infrastructure is a cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to stormwater management, encompassing rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, and permeable pavements. This contrasts with the more traditionally used “gray infrastructure” such as pipes, gutters and basins.

The Environmental Commission has begun working with the Engineering Department to develop a stormwater management ordinance that goes beyond state minimum requirements to reduce local flooding risks. The ordinance seeks to achieve these goals through new retention requirements, a lower threshold for applicability to minor developments, and additional requirements for green (vs. gray) infrastructure.

You can find more information on green infrastructure here:
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1197

No Idling


Don’t Let Your Vehicle Idle

Motor vehicle idling wastes fuel, contributes to pollution, and can worsen asthma and other health conditions.

Turn off your engine if you remain at a location for more than three minutes (there are some exceptions for diesel vehicles)

In fact, it’s a law, but is often ignored.

Still, there are good reasons to not let your vehicle idle:

  • If you are idling, you might as well be burning dollar bills. Vehicles that idle 10 minutes per day waste more than 29 gallons of fuel each year.
  • Only ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than turning your vehicle off and on.
  • Will turning off the vehicle to avoid idling result in higher maintenance costs and extra wear and tear for the starter and battery? Actually, the break-even point to offset any incremental maintenance costs, according to Natural Resources Canada, is under 60 seconds.
  • The best way to warm a vehicle is to start it and drive it.
  • Emissions are still present and harmful even when you can’t see exhaust.
  • In winter conditions, emissions from a cold engine are more than double the normal level.
  • Moreover, idling emissions can kill. The American Heart Association has concluded that air pollution increases the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
  • Unnecessary idling of cars, trucks, and school buses can cause excess engine wear.

How to Improve Your Soil and Reduce Yard Waste


According to the EPA, the amount of yard waste that ends up in landfills has decreased over the decades, but millions of tons of yard waste are still landfilled each year. Homeowners who usually dispose of their leaves should consider other methods of managing leaves, trimmings, and branches that incorporate them back into the soil instead of the landfill. Leaves can be collected and used as a mulch for landscaping or garden beds, and should be spread thickly as they will flatten quickly with rain. A low labor solution is to keep the leaves and twigs in place and mow the lawn normally, but leave the shredded leaves and grass on the lawn where they will fall to the soil and quickly decompose. If it is preferred that leaves and trimmings be removed from the lawn, the shredded leaf and grass mix collected when mowing can be composted to an organic fertilizing soil amendment for the lawn or garden. More information about recycling yard waste can be found in the article "Fall Leaves: Love 'em AND Leave 'em” from Mercer County. Should you choose to compost your yard waste, all you will need is a few square feet of space outside and a good shovel, but your setup will vary depending on several factors.

You can compost at home in many different ways. If your yard space is limited or you do not want to dedicate any lawn space to a compost pile, you can compost your leaves and lawn trimmings with other organic waste in a self-contained tumbler. Rotating compost tumblers can be made at home or purchased, and range in size from a few gallons to hundred-gallon drums. During the warmer months, a compost tumbler in the sun can heat up quickly and speed up the breakdown of leaves and organic waste into compost. For those with yard space ready for compost piles, an area tucked away in a corner or otherwise out of the way should be cleared to bare soil. A large frequently turned outdoor pile resting directly on the soil will also take advantage of macro-organisms, such as worms and insects, to help decompose organic matter into usable compost. Compost piles are commonly mounded without support, contained in a four-sided box frame, or supported on three sides by mesh fencing. Compost piles should be contained in some manner, but you can be as creative as you want with your pile. There are many online resources to help guide someone getting started with home composting, such as the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet on Home Composting.

Other Sources:
US EPA - Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling - Yard Trimmings: Material-Specific Data

Do_Not_Fertilize_Nov15-Mar1


Thinking about Fertilizing Your Lawn? Don’t Do It
Between November 15 and March 1


The timing of fertilizer applications is very important in maintaining quality turf. Most of the annual nitrogen applications should be spread in the late summer and early fall to promote rhizome development, according to Rutgers Extension Service.

Don't do it between November 15 and March 1. The reason for this is because the risk of fertilizer runoff or leachate into groundwater is more likely when the ground is frozen. This is a serious enough concern that it’s against the law for homeowners to fertilize their lawn during this period.

All professional lawn care companies who apply fertilizer are required to be certified by the NJ Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University, so they are aware of the blackout dates.

Best practices for lawn care

New Jersey Fertilizer Law

Spotted-Lanternfly-Stages


Destroy these Bad Bugs on Sight


Spotted lanternfly nymphs look like small beetles, but they will soon grow into destructive pests.

Berkeley Heights  residents can help fight back against the spotted lanternfly by destroying the destructive pest while it is still in the early stages of growth. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that can weaken trees, damage ornamental plants and destroy fruit trees, hops, grape vines and other crops.

Adults are already beginning to emerge. Berkeley Heights residents who see a spotted lanternfly should kill it immediately, by stomping it under foot. If it hops away, follow it and try again when it settles.


“Union County residents and property managers can take action against this destructive pest now, by inspecting yards, gardens and landscaping for the nymphs, and destroying them before they mature,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.

The nymphs can be seen on many different kinds of plants and trees. They are especially likely to be found clustering on the stems of the common ailanthus tree, or “tree of heaven.”

The nymphs mature into large, moth-like adults that can be easily identified by their papery white wings and brightly colored red, black and white underwings and body.

For more information, including photos of the spotted lanternfly and its eggs at various stages, visit the New Jersey Division of Agriculture at nj.gov/agriculture.

Additional information is available from Rutgers University at njaes.rutgers.edu/spotted-lanternfly.

Sightings of the insect can also be reported to Rutgers University through the online reporting tool.

Union County is one of three counties in New Jersey participating in a U.S. Department of Agriculture research project to assess various methods of mitigating the spotted lanternfly invasion. For more information from the USDA visit aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/slf.

Mow Mulch Grass
It's Your Lawn, Cut it and Leave it


Grass clippings are a major part of New Jersey’s municipal solid waste stream. As a Berkeley Heights resident, you are already helping to avoid air pollution and wasted resources by recycling. You can do more by reducing waste at the source. Leave the grass clippings on your lawn when you mow, and let nature do the recycling. 

As a general rule, mow to a height of 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches. How often you mow is best determined by the rate of growth of the lawn. Mow as frequently as necessary to remove no more than 1/3 of the leaf height in a single mowing. That is, mow by the time leaves reach a 3¾ inch height when cutting to 2½ inches, or mow by 5¼ inches when cutting to 3½ inches. As a general rule, mowing once a week is adequate for mowing heights between 2½ and 3½ inches; heights of cut below 2½ inches will require more frequent mowing. 

It is usually not necessary to remove clippings. Returning clippings to the lawn will recycle nutrients to the soil and grass and also reduce waste. Mulching mowers facilitate this by chopping the clippings into smaller pieces. 

Contrary to the widespread misconception, returning clippings do not contribute to thatch accumulation in a lawn. However, heavy clipping yield - such as might occur if you don’t mow often enough - might necessitate clipping removal or dispersal to prevent the accumulation of large clumps of clippings on the lawn surface, which can smother and kill the grass.

For more information on lawn care, visit the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet - Your Lawn and Its Care.

Aedes Aegypti Mosquito biting a human
What to Do About Mosquitoes in Your Yard


With summer coming on, so is mosquito season. Residents can take some easy steps to minimize the incidence of mosquitoes and our exposure to the diseases they transmit. According to the CDC, an important strategy for keeping mosquitoes out of your yard is to eliminate their preferred breeding ground: standing water.

  1. Remove all standing water from your yard by bringing indoors or emptying and cleaning all containers, even very small ones. For example, do not leave toys that can retain water outside; remove saucers from under flower pots; clean or remove pool covers; clean pools and add chlorinated water; cover rain barrels with mosquito proof netting; make sure rain gutters are properly sloped.  Clean out the gutters and rain spouts. Cover corrugated extension tubes with fine mesh netting to prevent mosquitoes from gaining access.

  2. For standing water, use mosquito dunks containing Bacillus thuringiensis (BT).  BT is a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae. It is environmentally safe, as it is found in soils and approved for use in organic farming. More information about BT can be found at the EPA website. These are available at your local hardware store.

  3. Organize or participate in clean-up activities to pick up garbage from parks and other public spaces.

  4. Share your knowledge with friends and neighbors! Mosquitoes don’t obey yard boundaries, so it is important to share your knowledge and work together to reduce mosquito problems in your neighborhood. 

For more information, please visit the Rutgers NJ AES Mosquito Control website.

Person using a spreader to fertilize their lawn

A Crash Course on Lawn Fertilizing


Fertilizing your lawn can easily be a wasteful endeavor if done without certain considerations. Generally, fertilizer is best applied when plants need food or are actively growing. Otherwise, expensive fertilizer washes straight to storm drains.

Berkeley Heights’ ordinance is written accordingly, prohibiting application of fertilizer with phosphorus and nitrogen between November 15 and February 15. Lawns are going dormant in November and not absorbing any nutrients between those dates.

The law also requires the use of soil tests, and it is best practice to do one for best results (explained below). The fertilizer law also requires all lawn care professionals who apply fertilizer to be certified so they know how and when to apply fertilizer.

Soil tests are available at garden stores, online or visit Rutgers: Soil Testing Kits.

Why Be Careful


A limited amount of nitrogen and phosphorus is important for healthy plant life. However, an overabundance not only harms lawns, but fertilizers washing into waterways can stimulate excessive algae and weed growth. This in turn depletes oxygen from the water and reduces the sunlight needed for healthy aquatic life. This is one way algae blooms occur.

Soil tests save money by showing the appropriate application of nutrients and lime. Don't apply nutrients that your soil doesn't need; instead, invest in nutrients that will bring about healthy growth and yields.

Do not apply fertilizers to impervious surfaces such as driveways or sidewalks, where they might wash off into the street. Sweep fertilizer on impervious surfaces back into the grass or garden. 

The Big Picture


Groundwater is part of the natural hydrological cycle: Water from rainfall infiltrates into the ground where either we capture it for consumption, or it evaporates (from surface water) or transpires (from vegetation) where clouds are eventually “seeded” to create rain.

Hydrological Cycle

We humans heavily influence this cycle. From the rain running off impervious surfaces until it rises back into the atmosphere, water carrying anything we store, drop or dispose of on the ground can harm marine life.

It may not seem like much when it’s a few drops of oil, litter, or unabsorbed fertilizers, but it adds up when you include each dwelling, vehicle and person in a township.

Think of your yard (soil, plants, trees) as a great filter. Water that is allowed to seep into the ground where it falls, filters nearly every harmful element that could otherwise wash directly to a storm drain and immediately to a stream, river or ocean.

Green Filter vs. Gray Funnel diagram

Resources

When you’re fertilizing the lawn, remember you’re not just fertilizing the lawn


Now that the warmer weather is here, many of us are thinking about fertilizing our lawns, to restore them to that perfect early-summer green.  But run-off from lawns and gardens can carry nutrients – especially phosphorus and nitrogen – into our streams and rivers, where they can cause blue-green algae to proliferate.  These algal “blooms” can spoil the water quality, disrupt the environment for other wild creatures, and produce odor and toxins that may be unpleasant or even harmful to people and pets.

Best practices for lawns include:

  • A soil test every three to four years.  Contact the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The cost can cover the savings you achieve by following the recommendations.
  • Mow frequently, usually at 2 1/2 inches, and leave clippings, which reduces the need for fertilizer by as much as one-half
  • Do not apply fertilizer when a runoff-producing rainfall is expected or when the soil is already saturated
  • Ensure you don’t spread or spill fertilizers on impervious surfaces
  • Avoid the use of phosphorus-containing fertilizers altogether
  • Mulching tree leaves and grass clippings as alternatives to synthetic fertilizers
  • For properties adjacent to streams and other bodies of water, maintaining a buffer of natural vegetation along the water’s edge to filter runoff

For more information, please visit the following pages:

Man Fertilizing Water

Harmful Effects of Using Rock Salt on Outside Household Surfaces


Many local households use rock salt to melt ice and snow from outside surfaces, however it can pose hazards to humans, pets and property. Rock salt may scorch plants and impact soil quality resulting in depressed yield and growth if applied on surfaces that are close to vegetated areas. Salt residue may build up and cause permanent damage to asphalt, pavements, wood decks and floors. When pets walk on surfaces treated with rock salt, it can attach to the animals’ paw pads causing irritation or burning. Once pets step on rock salt, they are likely to lick their paws, which once ingested, can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, extreme fatigue, unusual drooling. Lastly, when applied in large quantities, rock salt may find its way into groundwater supplies which can ultimately harm aquatic animals and humans. Alternatives to rock salt include: use of electric-powered snow blowers, non-toxic ice melt and sand.

Spotted_Lanternflies
WARNING: Spotted Lanternfly in Berkeley Heights


The spotted lanternfly has been sighted in Berkeley Heights.

This highly invasive pest feeds on many plants, including grapevines and ornamentals. Its presence in the township has been reported to the State of New Jersey. If you think you have seen SLF, do not panic! First, make sure the insect you are seeing is the spotted lanternfly. Learn effective management strategies at the proper time of the year.

There is one generation of SLF per year. The eggs are laid in the fall and hatch in the spring. Walk around your property now to check for egg masses on trees, cement blocks, rocks, and any other hard surface.

You can find more information on the spotted lanternfly, including treatment:


State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture: Spotted Lanternfly

PennState Extension: Spotted Lanternfly Management for Residents

How You Can Help Keep Our Streams and Rivers Clean and Help Reduce Flooding


A riparian zone or buffer zone is the land adjacent to a body of water, such as a lake, pond, stream, river, or wetland. Development activities within riparian zones are severely restricted in order to safeguard the water quality and to protect the riparian and aquatic ecosystems. The width of the riparian zone depends on the aesthetic and ecological value of the body of water and is defined by the State of New Jersey. Within Berkeley Heights, a riparian zone of 50 feet is required for the Passaic River and its tributary streams. Much of the Passaic River frontage in Berkeley Heights is protected by the Passaic County Park, but a portion of the Passaic River frontage, and several of its streams, adjoin residential properties. The riparian zone is measured from the top of the bank of the river or stream and extends 50 feet on both sides of the watercourse. Within this zone, the vegetation should be allowed to remain in its natural condition. There should be no cutting of trees or brush, no dumping of fill or regrading, no construction of any kind, and no discharging of stormwater in a riparian zone. This means there should be no cultivation or maintained lawns within 50 feet of one of these watercourses.

If your property adjoins the Passaic River or one of its streams, a portion of your property may be a riparian zone and thus subject to these restrictions. These FEMA flood hazard zone maps show the watercourses and riparian buffers in Berkeley Heights to which these regulations apply.  If your property adjoins one of these stretches of water and/or includes a riparian zone, is the riparian zone in a natural state, or has it been encroached upon by development or cultivation? You can help protect the riparian zone, and thus protect the ecology of our waters, by removing invasive plants and by planting suitable native grasses, herbaceous plugs, woody shrubs, and trees along the riparian zone. Suitable native shrubs and trees buffer pollutants from entering the river via stormwater runoff and prevent erosion of stream banks. Turfgrass does not provide a high level of treatment for stormwater runoff and does not benefit the river ecosystem.

The Riparian Planting Zones illustration is similar to the planting zones for rain gardens: wet or toe zone, bank or slope zone, buffer, or upland zone. You can find a list of native plants suitable for riparian buffers here. An expert at a garden center should be able to help you if a particular native plant is not available.

Riparian Planting Zones

Riparian Planting Zones


For further information on the regulations governing riparian zones, see the relevant section of the Berkeley Heights Municipal Code. Here is further information on the benefits of riparian buffers. Contact the Environmental Commission at EC@bhtwp.com if you have questions on these requirements or would like advice related to a riparian zone on your property.

Do You Know What is Growing on Your Property?

Removing Invasive Plants and Planting Natives


Plants that are native to North America - whether trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants - improve habitat quality for wildlife native to this continent. This makes planting them preferable to plants that originate from other continents that native wildlife may not be able to benefit as much from. Beneficial insects, birds, and other animals use native plants as a resource and as habitat, so a stand of native wildflowers should bring you views of blooms and wildlife. Native species are just as, and often more, aesthetically pleasing compared to non-native ornamental plants, and they bloom in-stride with surrounding native plants in the landscape around your property. Native plants are adapted to growing in the climate and soils of the region they are native to, meaning they grow well in their native range with minimal human intervention, resulting in native landscapes often requiring substantially less maintenance than non-native landscapes. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, The long-term upkeep of native plants can be dramatically less costly than turf grass, as well as take less time. The majority of New Jersey soil is privately owned, so private landowners have the opportunity to take conservation into our own hands by improving the landscape for ourselves and the life around us. This means creating landscapes that support a diversity of species & complex food webs, store carbon, and protect the integrity of our watersheds. Local nurseries and garden centers often sell a selection of native plants, and there are many options to purchase native seedlings and seeds online.

Many popular species of plants sold for use in landscaping and as ornamentals are not native to North America, and some may be invasive. Garden centers may sell invasive plants such as bamboos, barberries, and many others, inadvertently leading to their introduction when homeowners buy and plant them. Invasive non-native plants have the potential to out-compete native plants and cause harm in some way or another to ecosystems and the species within them. When invasive plants are introduced to a landscape and they spread, the quality of the habitat will likely be degraded for native wildlife. There are many invasive herbaceous and woody species of plants found in Berkeley Heights, and chances are high you have at least one invasive species of plant growing on your property right now. These plants originate from other parts of the world, but can grow and even thrive in our climate and ecosystems. Non-natives may be attractive to homeowners, but they likely provide wildlife little to no resources. Since invasive plants do not originate from this area, there may be no natural controls to their spread if released into nature. New Jersey is taking steps to reduce the presence of invasive species state-wide, but it is up to landowners to control what grows on their property. Invasive plants range in size from small grasses to large trees, and the only way to know what is growing in your yard is to check yourself.

There are many resources online to help identify common invasive species of plants found in New Jersey, which can help you know what to look for when inspecting your property. The New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team website, URL: https://www.fohvos.info/invasive-species-strike-team/, contains information about invasive species, their identification & eradication, interactive maps, and more. The New Jersey Invasive Species Council website also contains invasive species lists, facts, and management plans. Once you have taken care of any invasive plants on your property, the Native Plant Finder website is a great tool to learn about native plants of New Jersey and the species they benefit.

Don’t Throw It Out, Compost It!

Reduce Waste, Save Money And Improve Your Soil with a Compost Pile


Composting is a process that allows for the bulk decomposition of organic matter. Leaves, wood, vegetable scraps, and many other kinds of organic matter can be composted into nutrient-rich humus. Turning your food waste into compost instead of garbage reduces the amount of waste entering landfills, stores carbon, and provides gardeners with an organic soil-improving amendment. All you need to compost is a few square feet of space outside and a good shovel, but your setup will vary depending on several factors. You can compost at home in many different ways. If your yard space is limited or you do not want to dedicate any lawn space to a compost pile, you can compost your organic waste in a self-contained tumbler. Rotating compost tumblers can be made at home or purchased, and range in size from a few gallons to hundred-gallon drums. For those with yard space ready for compost piles, an area tucked away in a corner or that is otherwise out of the way should be cleared to bare soil. Compost piles are commonly mounded without support, contained in a four-sided box frame, or supported on three sides by mesh fencing. Compost piles should be contained in some manner, but you can be as creative as you want with your pile. Before setting up your composting area, also consider how you plan to decompose your organic waste.

Two common methods of decomposition are aerated composting and Vermicomposting. The main difference being the size of the life form performing the decomposition. Aerated composting utilizes micro-organisms found naturally in organic materials and soils to break down vegetative waste. Heat is produced by decomposition, which speeds up the breakdown of waste and boosts microbial growth. Using this method compost must be turned frequently to replenish oxygen in the pile for microbes, and to release excess heat. Compost temperature should be monitored, because a sufficiently hot compost pile will destroy soil pathogens, insects, and weed seeds in the pile, but if allowed to over-heat some beneficial micro-organisms may not survive. Vermicomposting utilizes soil macro-organisms to break down organic matter, and can be used to compost smaller piles that may not generate much heat. As the name implies, worms play a large role in decomposition in a vermicompost system, but there is a large diversity of soil macro-organisms that aid in the process. A large frequently turned outdoor pile resting directly on the soil will take advantage of both micro-organism and macro-organism action to quickly decompose organic matter into usable compost. While a large effort could be put into a home compost operation, even unmanaged piles will turn into compost given enough time. There are many online resources to help guide someone getting started with home composting, such as the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet on Home Composting.

Source:  US Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Food Waste FAQs

Mow Mulch Grass
It's Your Lawn, Cut it and Leave it


Grass clippings are a major part of New Jersey’s municipal solid waste stream. As a Berkeley Heights resident, you are already helping to avoid air pollution and wasted resources by recycling. You can do more by reducing waste at the source. Leave the grass clippings on your lawn when you mow, and let nature do the recycling. 

As a general rule, mow to a height of 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches. How often you mow is best determined by the rate of growth of the lawn. Mow as frequently as necessary to remove no more than 1/3 of the leaf height in a single mowing. That is, mow by the time leaves reach a 3¾ inch height when cutting to 2½ inches, or mow by 5¼ inches when cutting to 3½ inches. As a general rule, mowing once a week is adequate for mowing heights between 2½ and 3½ inches; heights of cut below 2½ inches will require more frequent mowing. 

It is usually not necessary to remove clippings. Returning clippings to the lawn will recycle nutrients to the soil and grass and also reduce waste. Mulching mowers facilitate this by chopping the clippings into smaller pieces. 

Contrary to the widespread misconception, returning clippings do not contribute to thatch accumulation in a lawn. However, heavy clipping yield - such as might occur if you don’t mow often enough - might necessitate clipping removal or dispersal to prevent the accumulation of large clumps of clippings on the lawn surface, which can smother and kill the grass.

For more information on lawn care, visit the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet - Your Lawn and Its Care.

Invasive Insect Threatens Ash Trees in Union County
Berkeley Heights to Take Countermeasures


May 2020 - The emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect native to Asia that has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees (Fraxinus species) has now been found in Union County. Three years ago, as the insect was found in other counties, Berkeley Heights took action to protect ash trees in the municipality and applied for a Community Forestry Grant to treat ash trees along the right of way. 

This year Berkeley Heights is continuing treatment and has awarded a contract to Keiling Tree Care of Basking Ridge. The company has a website, employs a certified tree expert, and holds a pesticide license.

“The company was the low bidder,” said Environmental Commissioner Richard Leister, “and meets all the qualifications for the work.”

Ash trees can be infested by the emerald ash borer years before the tree begins to show symptoms of infestation, which begins when female beetles lay eggs on the bark of ash trees. The eggs hatch and larvae bore into the bark to vessels underneath that carry fluid.

As the larvae feed and develop, they cut off the flow of nutrients, eventually killing the tree within three to five years. Symptoms of infestation include canopy dieback, woodpecker activity, missing bark, D-shaped exit holes, shoots sprouting from the trunk, and S-shaped larval galleries under the bark. The ash borer has killed hundreds of millions of trees in North America.

If an ash tree is already infested or in poor health, it may be best to remove the tree before it poses a hazard to people and surrounding structures, according to the NJ DEP. Communities, businesses, and residents with high-value, healthy ash trees can treat the trees before any infestation occurs.

Anyone who sees emerald ash borer or suspected evidence of tree damage is urged to call the New Jersey Department of Agriculture as soon as possible at (609) 406-6939 or a DEP forest health specialist at (609) 984-3861.

Several insecticide options are available to protect landscape ash trees threatened by EAB. A Certified Tree Expert or Forester who holds a pesticide license can help evaluate, treat, or remove infested ash trees. Check https://njtreeexperts.org for a list of tree professionals serving your area.

"Not all ash trees along the right of way are treated," said Richard Leister. "Small ash trees will be removed and any large ash trees that may be compromised will be marked for removal."

Here’s how to identify an ash tree:
https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/identifyingashtrees.html

Identify Ash TreesThe ash borer is about 1/2" long and 1/8" wide:
https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/whatiseab.html

Emerald Ash Borer

Watch Out for Tree Volcanoes


It’s spring, and homeowners and landscapers are preparing their gardens, pruning their trees and shrubs, and mulching. The NJ Shade Tree Federation recommends that the best mulches for trees are shredded pine or hardwood bark at least 3/8” in size, pine needles, one-year old wood chips, or shredded and composted leaves. But the Federation warns against building volcanoes on tree trunks. Instead, start six inches from the tree trunk and mulch outward to the edge of the dripline. Keep the mulch about 3 inches deep. You may use woven landscape fabric or newspaper under the mulch in heavy weed areas. But don’t use plastic under the mulch.
Tree Volcano

Want to Remove a Tree? You Need a Permit!


If anyone wants to remove a deciduous tree over 8 inches in diameter or an evergreen tree over 6 feet tall from a property or right of way, the Township ordinance requires they apply for a permit. The tree ordinance applies to all properties in the township regardless of where the tree is located: commercial property, private residences, and school properties. Any person violating or causing to be violated any of the provisions this chapter shall be subject to a fine.

Lawn Fertilization Tips


When you’re fertilizing the lawn, remember you’re not just fertilizing the lawn

Now that the warmer weather is here, many of us are thinking about fertilizing our lawns, to restore them to that perfect early-summer green.  But run-off from lawns and gardens can carry nutrients – especially phosphorus and nitrogen – into our streams and rivers, where they can cause blue-green algae to proliferate.  These algal “blooms” can spoil the water quality, disrupt the environment for other wild creatures, and produce odor and toxins that may be unpleasant or even harmful to people and pets.

You can minimize the impact of your lawn treatments on the natural environment by:

  • Not applying fertilizer when a runoff-producing rainfall is expected or when the soil is already saturated;
  • Ensuring you don’t spread or spill fertilizers on impervious surfaces;
  • Avoiding the use of phosphorus-containing fertilizers altogether;
  • Mulching tree leaves and grass clippings as alternatives to synthetic fertilizers – mulching grass clippings instead of bagging them reduces the need for fertilizer by as much as one-half;
  • For properties adjacent to streams and other bodies of water, maintaining a buffer of natural vegetation along the water’s edge to filter runoff.

For more information, see: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1216 and https://njaes.rutgers.edu/FS633