Shade Tree Board

Council Liaison: Julie Brodsky

Certified Tree Expert/Arborist: Liz Stewart

Chairman: Clayton Bosch

Members: Josephine Higgins, Marilyn Clark, Kathleen Bagley, Bert Taylor, Wiebke Hinsch, David Berger, Andy Lukac, Roberta Green, Katie Murphy, Britt Dhawan, Vaughn Flower

Secretary: Diane O'Brien - 201-391-4977 Ext. 200

Inspector: Lyle Garcia - 201-391-4977 Ext. 214

The committee is a volunteer group currently composed of eleven members. Our council liaison is Councilwoman Julie Brodsky. The committee is an advisory group working with the Mayor and Council with the objective of preserving and enhancing the Borough tree canopy. As such, they work cooperatively with the various boards, the Borough engineer, Department of Public Works, the Construction Official, and Shade Tree Inspector Lyle Garcia.

As part of their advisory responsibility, the committee strives to assure that the Borough Tree Preservation Ordinance is complied with by our residents, contractors, and tree service companies. The Ordinance regulates the removal and planting of trees both in the right of way and on private property with the understanding that owners have the right of reasonable use and enjoyment of their property.

*A permit is required to remove any tree which measures over 6" caliper. If you wish to remove a tree your tree service company should complete an application available at the Borough Hall or on the Borough website. Tree removal may also require replacement with another tree.

*The Borough has a street tree program which allows residents to have shade trees planted by the Borough in the right of way in front of their property. Requests for planting may be obtained at the Borough Hall.

Occasionally, homeowners may experience conditions where dead or dying trees on a neighbor's property may pose a hazard. In situations such as this the condition should be discussed with the neighbor to resolve the problem. If a compromise cannot be reached a complaint may be filed.

We're excited to share an update on our ongoing Tree Inventory, which has been instrumental in assessing the health and diversity of our tree population here in Woodcliff Lake. As of October 6th, we have completed nearly two-thirds of our inventory, and we anticipate wrapping up by the end of the month. This effort will catalog, identify, and assess every tree along our borough’s streets.

Key Findings:

• Tree Health: The overall condition of our trees is impressive. Out of 3,217 inspected trees, 2,795 (86%) are in fair, good, or excellent condition. Only 345 trees are classified as poor, critical, or dead, and of those, just 221 are recommended for removal—representing less than 8% of our public tree population.
• Tree Diversity: Our inventory includes over 120 distinct tree species. Notably, 48 species have more than a dozen specimens each, and no single species comprises more than 5% of the total inventory. Problematic species like Bradford pear (248 trees), tree-of-heaven (26 trees), and native ash (28 trees) make up a small fraction of our tree population.
• Tree Age Range: A diverse tree-scape is vital for ecological health. We found 743 trees under 6 inches in diameter, indicating they were likely planted in the past 1-5 years. Additionally, there are 1,123 trees under 12 inches in diameter, representing our younger population. We also identified 188 mature or heritage trees, which hold significant value for our community.
• Community Engagement: Throughout this process, we’ve engaged with residents, dog-walkers, and homeowners. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive; many express appreciation for our lovely trees and support for this initiative. Providing more information about the value of our trees will foster greater community support for future efforts by the Shade Tree Committee and elected officials.

Below are some graphs and additional data to give you a visual representation of the inventory itself. All data for trees without assessments will be updated by the end of the project, which we expect to complete in just a couple of weeks.

We encourage everyone to stay informed and involved in preserving and enhancing our beautiful tree-scape. Thank you for your continued support!

Woodcliff Lake Shade Tree Committee