Spring is Here - How are your trees doing?

From Shade Tree Commission
As the trees start to make their new leaves and birds have not yet made their nests in them, it is a good time to assess the health of the tree. Dead or dying branches are visible all year, by trained professional tree experts; but, now if the branch does not have leaves, it is a good indication that it is dead or declining.

To assess your trees, look at the whole crown and estimate how much of the crown has dead or declining branches, 10%, 25%, 50%? Do the dead branches just need to be pruned out, or is the whole tree declining?

As the tree is being inspected, look for holes in the trunk, missing bark or anything that looks like it is changing. The root system also needs to be examined. Look for changes, exposed roots, one root on top of another.

If, there is a dead tree on your property, it should be removed. Once a tree dies, the root system that provided the stability declines.  Eventually, the dead tree will fall.  It is important to keep the property safe and make sure that the public is not put at risk. That does not only include trees that could fall on the property, it also includes trees that fall on someone who enters the property, such as emergency personnel and delivery services.

A Licensed Tree Expert, LTE, should be contacted to look at any tree that is questionable. A LTE would probably be happy to inspect all of your trees and make needed recommendations.

A Tree Removal Permit, TRP, is needed for the removal of any tree that is 7 inches in diameter, at 3 feet above the ground, dead or alive. TRP applications are available at www.franklinlakes.org/forms or, at the Code Enforcement office in Borough Hall.