Shade Tree Management Board
George Limbach explains what it's like to be member of a board that plants 120 town trees a year.
Who we are: Shade Tree is an advisory board with seven regular members and two alternates, all volunteers appointed by the Mayor.
Our work: We maintain and improve Madison’s tree canopy by planting trees on public property. To that end, we survey all the streets in Madison looking for appropriate locations in the Borough’s right-of-way for places to plant new trees.
We replace trees that have died or fallen in storms, and look for new locations with an open space where a little shade would be appreciated. We take into account the size of the planting bed, whether there are overhead wires, sidewalks, or possible interference with the residents' landscaping.
We inform the resident a couple of weeks in advance that a tree will soon be planted. It is always in the spring or fall, never summer. It is too difficult to establish a young tree in the heat of summer.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) plants the tree. A deer guard and water bag are installed around the tree. This bag gets filled with water, which is slowly released. It is up to the homeowner to maintain the tree. However, DPW will try to refill the water bags when they are dry. It is a big job during the summer--there are, on average, 120 new trees planted each year!—so we ask for the homeowners’ cooperation to water their new family member. In addition to the DPW, Shade Tree board members also monitor the newly installed trees. Trees are a valuable resource for many reasons. They help keep our beautiful small town the best place to live in New Jersey!
Our partners: We work with the Planning and Zoning Boards, Department of Public Works, Madison Environmental Commission, Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee, Parks Advisory Committee, the nonprofit Friends of Madison Shade Trees and more.
Request a free shade tree on your property by calling the Department of Public Works, 973-593-3088.
Learn more: rosenet.org/480/Shade-Tree-Management-Board
Our work: We maintain and improve Madison’s tree canopy by planting trees on public property. To that end, we survey all the streets in Madison looking for appropriate locations in the Borough’s right-of-way for places to plant new trees.
We replace trees that have died or fallen in storms, and look for new locations with an open space where a little shade would be appreciated. We take into account the size of the planting bed, whether there are overhead wires, sidewalks, or possible interference with the residents' landscaping.
We inform the resident a couple of weeks in advance that a tree will soon be planted. It is always in the spring or fall, never summer. It is too difficult to establish a young tree in the heat of summer.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) plants the tree. A deer guard and water bag are installed around the tree. This bag gets filled with water, which is slowly released. It is up to the homeowner to maintain the tree. However, DPW will try to refill the water bags when they are dry. It is a big job during the summer--there are, on average, 120 new trees planted each year!—so we ask for the homeowners’ cooperation to water their new family member. In addition to the DPW, Shade Tree board members also monitor the newly installed trees. Trees are a valuable resource for many reasons. They help keep our beautiful small town the best place to live in New Jersey!
Our partners: We work with the Planning and Zoning Boards, Department of Public Works, Madison Environmental Commission, Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee, Parks Advisory Committee, the nonprofit Friends of Madison Shade Trees and more.
Request a free shade tree on your property by calling the Department of Public Works, 973-593-3088.
Learn more: rosenet.org/480/Shade-Tree-Management-Board