Princeton Council Supports Proposal For Amended Tree Ordinance

Princeton, NJ -- Princeton Council members supported a proposed ordinance that calls for stiffer penalties for illegally cutting down trees in Princeton during a public hearing Monday night, the Princeton Packet reports.

Additionally, the proposed ordinance calls for anyone who gets a permit to cut down a tree 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.

Some residents have said they cut down trees because they are afraid of them falling, according to the report.

“I think that if you’re afraid of the trees in your yard, I would say move, don’t cut down the trees,” Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller said, according to the report.

She went on to say that Princeton is a community with “old, mature trees that are valued by everyone,” according to the report.

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.

Council will vote on the proposed ordinance on Sept. 12.