Princeton Council Considering Stricter Rules on Cutting Down Trees

Princeton, NJ -- Cutting down a tree in Princeton may be about to get a little more expensive.

A proposed ordinance Princeton Council will vote on at its Sept. 12 meeting calls for stiffer penalties for illegally cutting down trees, the Princeton Packet reports.

For those who get a permit, they would be required to plant replacement trees equal to the size of the one they cut down, or pay the town $1,600, which would go into the Princeton Shade Tree Trust Reserve.

Currently, Princeton uses a 1-to-1 replacement model, but the proposed ordinance calls for more replacement trees based on the size of the tree cut down.

For example, cutting down a tree that is 39 inches in diameter would call for the planting of four replacement trees, either on the person’s private property or in a public place.

The public hearing on the proposed ordinance is scheduled for Aug. 8.

Read more at centraljersey.com.