Trees & Landscape

Toms River Township has been named as a Tree City USA for 33 years. The Township adopted a Woodlands Management Ordinance in 2005 to prevent clear cutting and to require Tree Management Plans. A Tree Management Plan (TMP) is required prior to the removal of any tree or trees in connection with an application for development (Minor or Major Site Plan or Subdivision). The removal of one or more trees related to the construction or continued use of a single-family or two-family residential dwelling is exempt from a Tree Management Plan, but a Tree Removal Permit is required. Application for a Tree Removal Permit may be made at the offices of Planning, Zoning and Community Development. A photograph of each tree proposed for removal is required with the Tree Removal Permit. Applications requesting the removal of 10 or more trees may be referred to the Township Forester for review and approval.

Tree Removal

A Tree Removal Permit is required prior to the removal of any tree on private property or within the public ROW. Tree Permit applications are made in the Division of Planning and Zoning (contact Dave Roberts, Township Planner). As with sidewalks, street/shade trees installed within the public ROW are the responsibility of the abutting property owner. If a sidewalk is damaged by the roots of a street tree, the property owner is responsible to address both the tree and the sidewalk by obtaining a tree removal permit, if it is necessary to remove the tree, as well as a road opening permit (from the Division of Engineering) to repair or replace the sidewalk.

Trees on Public Lands

Any questions or concerns regarding trees on lands owned by the Township or street trees within the public ROW should be directed to either Craig Ambrosio, Mike Freudenberg or Tracy Lasky in the Public Lands group of the Division of Parks, Buildings and Grounds (732-341-1000 x8414).