Shade Tree Commission

Meetings

  • 6 p.m.
  • 4th Monday of every month
  • Municipal Building Conference Room
    530 Newark-Pompton Turnpike
    Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
  • View the meeting calendar.

Members

Per Township Code §3.38, this commission is made up of 5 members and 2 alternate members.

  • Laurel Laub
    5 year term expires December 31, 2027
  • Michael J. Tizio (Secretary)
    5 year term expires December 31, 2023
  • Leonard Smith
    5 Year term expires December 31, 2024
  • Jeffrey Ringen (Chair)
    5 year term expires December 31, 2025
  • Forrest Harper
    5 year term expires December 31, 2026
  • Linda Porpora, Alternate 1
    5 year term expires December 31, 2025
  • James Quigley, Alternate 2
    5 year term expires December 31, 2027

Liaison Member

  • Councilman John Driesse 

Purpose & Mission

Trees are one of the Pequannock Township’s greatest assets and the Shade Tree Commission is charged with the custody and control of all trees on the Township’s right-of-way. For the right-of-way information of your street please call the Public Works Director David Seugling.

Besides their natural beauty, trees provide a wealth of benefits to the Township. Trees:

  • Act as natural air-conditioners, reducing cooling costs 10 to 15%
  • Increase property values by 10-20%
  • Produce oxygen while cleaning our air and water
  • Reduce stress
  • Produce a sense of community

Our mission is to create and maintain the best possible tree cover and species diversity as well as to educate all Township residents on the importance of trees and the basics of tree care.

Policies

The Shade Tree Commission is responsible for the regulation, planting, care and control of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery on the streets, highways, and public places of the Township.

The Commission cooperates with the local utility companies in the pruning and removal of trees in the public interest.

The Commission considers requests from homeowners for pruning, removal, or planting of trees in its jurisdiction. Please contact the Department of Public Works at 973-835-5700, ext. 189 before taking any action. If you would like to report a problem with a tree on the Township Right-of-Way, please report the concern through the website.

Apply to Serve

Any resident interested in serving on the Shade Tree Commission should submit a completed Volunteer Application/Citizen Leadership form (PDF) to the Township Clerk.