Envirnonmental Commission Report
By Renee Lerner

2002 Activity Report:

In 2002, the environmental commission issued fifty-three (53) permits to remove trees on residential properties in Englewood Cliffs, and increase of 40% of 2001. Of the permits approved, 32 (57%) involved new home construction. Guarantee bonds were received thirty-nine (39) replacement trees. As of July, 2002, a Shade Tree Trust Fund was re-established in Englewood Cliffs. All permit fees and monies from fines for violations of Ordinances 2000-04 are deposited in this fund and may be used for the care and replacement of trees on Borough right-of-way and public lands in Englewood Cliffs. Because of the increasing loss of trees, replacement has become a vital means to maintain or tree stock.

Trees Love Mulch, but mulch cones kill trees. Yvonne Favaro, Shade Tree Commission Chairperson and I attended a CORE training session this winter sponsored by the New Jersey Community Forestry Council. Among the many things we learned from Pam Tappen, forester and training coordinator, was the harmful practice of piling cones of mulch against tree trunks. This procedure prevents healthy growth and kills trees. Mulching is extremely beneficial to trees for many reasons, but it is important to place the mulch six inches away from the trunk and continue mulching out towards the dripline (line below end of branches) with a maximum depth of 2-4 inches. To protect against weeds, place a woven landscape fabric, not plastic, under the mulch. Every Spring or every other Spring rake or remove any hard crust. Some excellent mulching materials are bark chunks or shredded bark at least 3/8 inch in size. Pine bark will last longer than hardwood bark. Other materials recommended are pine needles, one-year old wood chips, and leaves that were shredded and composed for at least three months.

Specialty License Plates fund tree planting in New Jersey. When you purchase a special Treasure Our Trees license plate for $50.00, $39.00 of this money goes to funding tree planting projects all over the sate and educating citizens to the importance of trees in marinating a clean and healthy environment. The Red Oak, our state trees and state flower, the Flowering Dogwood both in full color are printed on the plate. It is very attractive. To order a Treasure Our Trees plates call the DMW at 1-888-486-3339 from, 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.