Responsibilities
The Princeton Shade Tree Commission (STC) advises the Mayor and Council on all issues related to trees and shrubs and works with employees and residents of the municipality to maintain the health and diversity of the town's urban forest and street trees. At its meetings, the STC invites the public to air concerns and has responsibility for deciding appeals and recommending informal resolution of complaints.
The STC is authorized to review tree surveys, removal plans, and planting plans submitted with land development applications and report on its findings to the planning board or zoning board.
Further Responsibilities in the Community
The STC also:
- Inventories Princeton's municipal trees
- Promotes public awareness of proper tree care
- Alerts residents and the municipality to threats from pests, diseases, and other potential dangers
- Proposes and writes ordinances, amendments, resolutions, and policies relating to trees
- Works with the arborist to complete and adhere to the five-year Community Forestry Management Plan submitted to the New Jersey Community Forestry Council
- Assists in renewing Princeton's Tree City USA status
- Participates in Arbor Day each year
- Distributes hundreds of seedlings annually at public events
Tree City USA
Princeton is pleased to have been designated a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 26th year in a row.
A thriving urban forest offers many advantages to Princeton. Here are just a few:
- Trees help absorb the sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40%.
- Neighborhoods with trees are seven to nine degrees cooler than those without.
- Trees reduce energy costs up to 25% by shading buildings and protecting them from winter winds.
- Green space plays a major role in improving mental and physical health.
- Planting and maintaining trees absorbs carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change.
- Trees and landscape plantings greatly impact property values with a 4-5% average increase in value and a 20% increase in saleability in neighborhoods with mature trees. What is your tree worth?