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to be replenished by one 1.5- inch DBH tree. If the goal is to reduce erosion and improve water quality, shouldn't the ordinance require more trees to be planted? • Maybe the ordinance should require larger trees to be planted as replacements. This would increase the benefits provided by the replacement tree. The model ordinance also provides multiple exceptions. For example, it stipulates that up to four trees per acre could be removed over a five-year period without replacement. This runs counter to the entire reason for the model ordinance. These and other enhancements should be considered. Educating the community is just as important as the enhancements. Municipalities, watershed organizations and other environmental advocates need to make sure people understand the reasons we are protecting trees. The better people understand the issues, the more likely they will be to become part of the solution. To quote the Once-ler in The Lorax by Dr. Seuss: “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” the Cherry Hill Tree Fund for each healthy or poor condition tree removed that can't be replaced. That means if a commercial applicant wants to remove 20 healthy trees and replant 10 on site, they must contribute $3,000 to the fund. The ordinance also applies to homeowners who remove more than three healthy trees. If someone removes a tree without a tree removal permit, they must either submit a tree replacement plan to the DPW or pay $300 per tree. This fund is then dedicated to tree planting and maintenance projects with the goal of enhancing the township's tree canopy. Because multiple stakeholder meetings were held to gather residents ' input on the ordinance, and because residents are well informed on the rules, there is little to no resistance to upholding it. The public frequently participates in enforcement as well, reporting unauthorized tree removal to the town. Most importantly, the township officials are willing to update their policies and learn ways to make environmental sustainability more effective. The Township’s strategic and collaborative approach serves as a model for balancing development with environmental conservation, demonstrating that growth and sustainability can go hand in hand when all parties work together toward a common goal. Cherry Hill’s tree ordinance may be found at

ment with environmental conservation, demonstrating that growth and sustainability can go hand in hand when all parties work together toward a common goal. Cherry Hill’s tree ordinance may be found at https://tinyurl.com/bazvbw2d. Music under the stars in leafy Cherry Hill Courtesy of Cherry Hill website SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024 17

How tree species are affected by climate change By Frank Gallagher, Ph.D.* O n December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party became the recognized event in the revolt against British taxation and catalyst for the American Revolution. Lesser known, but of equal if not greater significance, was the seizure of the colonies' largest trees by King George I. With most of the forests of the British Isles harvested many times over by the 17th Century, England was forced to look elsewhere for timber. In particular, the majestic white pine trees, used in many aspects of construction, were marked by surveyors with three hatchet slashes known as the King's Broad Arrow, claiming them as property of the Royal Navy. The White Pine Riot was an armed conflict that occurred when a warrant was being served to a colonist using marked trees just prior to the Boston Tea Party. The outline of the white pine became a symbol of the American Revolution and adorned many revolutionary war flags, including those flown at the battle of Bunker Hill. While our reliance on trees has always been strong, both economically and socially, their future during this era of climate change is uncertain. The warming climate is undoubtedly facilitating a shift in the range of many tree species to more northern latitudes and higher elevations. The USDA Forest Service has predicted a northern march of the northeastern forest communities, such as those dominated by loblolly pine and some oaks and hickories, by up to four degrees by the end of the century, while the more northern assemblages of black spruce, balsam fir, northern white cedar and red spruce will significantly decrease their 18 ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024 range . Such generalizations provide a solid contextual understanding at a large scale, but decision making that considers conditions at the site and species level becomes more nuanced. The gray birch (Betula populifolia), for example, is an early colonizer of disturbed sites with a broad tolerance in both hydrologic and edaphic conditions. We have studied this species in an abandoned railyard within Jersey City since the early 1990's and have looked at its distribution, production, and growth in relationship to the area's metal-contaminated soils. An amazingly resilient species, the gray birch dominated much of the site for the past thirty years. Tolerant of high soil metals, it was found to

relationship to the area's metal-contaminated soils. An amazingly resilient species, the gray birch dominated much of the site for the past thirty years. Tolerant of high soil metals, it was found to colonize the site earlier than expected and appears to be resilient despite disturbances such as Superstorm Sandy. In fact, while the forest canopy of the site lost density because of the physical stress of the storm, it recovered quickly. Ten years later, the forest covers a larger area with greater canopy density than it did before the storm. Red pine (Pinus resinosa), on the other hand, is a northeastern species that naturally occurs just north of New Jersey into Canada and throughout the Great Lakes Region. Prized as a fast-growing tree used for timber production, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted it in many areas along or close to the Appalachian Mountain range. Remnants of Roosevelt's New Deal, many red pine stands in New Jersey were planted by the CCC to help put people to work and "improve" timber production during the Great Depression.

We studied the growth rates of one stand in Stokes State Forest, within the New Jersey School of Conservation. Interestingly, while these trees exhibited normal growth trajectories for approximately 50 years, growth rates began to decrease around 1980, which was especially evident during the past decade, the hottest on record. While these data are early and the study is incomplete, the trend appears solid and easily interpreted. Despite its significant historic legacy in New Jersey, planting or replanting red pine is not advisable. While forests are resilient and there will always be some type of forest here in NJ, their distribution and composition are changing. This change is extremely rapid on a natural time scale. As we look to enhance NJ's Forest resource, two general recommendations appear obvious: • Since climatic conditions are unpredictable, species with a broad niche will adapt more easily. • Species that are currently at the northern end of their distribution range should be preferred over species that are at the southern end of their range. Applying such general rules to the already complex set of criteria for siting a tree can be confusing, however. For example, while the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) prefers the Tree of Heaven, it will attack many species, including black walnut, butternut, river birch, willow, sumac and silver and red maple. It does not appear to like oak. A swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), with its broad range and general tolerance to the spotted lanternfly, would be a better choice for a lowland situation or floodplain than the traditional red maple in infected areas. Similarly, both green and white ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica and F. americana) have been severely impacted by the emerald ash borer. Morphologically similar species with broad ranges might include locust (Valerianella locusta (L.) Lat.) and the Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus Dioicus). It's time to experiment, selecting trees for the future with an open mind. The tree that failed, failed for a reason. Move on; try something different. *Frank Gallagher Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Rutgers, the State University of NJ. He serves as the Director of the Environmental Planning Program within the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Director of Research for the New Jersey School of Conservation. Red pine stand

He serves as the Director of the Environmental Planning Program within the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Director of Research for the New Jersey School of Conservation. Red pine stand planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in Stokes State Forest SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024 19

Joyce Kilmer's famous poem "Trees" is said to have been inspired by a white oak tree on the Douglas Campus of Rutgers University that was ceremoniously cut down in 1963. At an estimated age of 175 years, it stood 68 feet tall with a trunk 54 inches thick. Kilmer's poem "Trees" was believed to have been written at his family home in Mahwah. Photo by Alex Michelini , Creative Commons 20 ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024 The red oak is N

Duke Farms is home to four of the ten oldest trees in New Jersey and ten state-listed Champion Trees, including the largest specimens of Amur cork tree, dwarf southern catalpa and common persimmon as well as the second largest northern red oak. – Joyce Kilmer New Jersey Forest Types Northern Hardwood Oak Hickory Pitch-shortleaf Pine Oak-Pine Mixed Lowland Forest riparian forests along major rivers NJ State Forestry Service NJ's state tree. SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER According to NJ.gov, the most common trees in New Jersey are the sugar maple, red maple, beech, yellow birch, sweet birch and red oak. ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024 21

Growing stronger: The advantages of the NJ Urban and Community Forestry Program By Randi K. Rothmel, ANJEC Project Director U rban forestry involves the planting, maintenance, care and protection of tree populations in an urban setting. Urban forests make up a significant amount of America's tree canopy and these trees provide essential benefits for humans and habitat for urban wildlife. Cherry trees in Branch Brook Park, Newark Photo by E Koppel Trees located in home landscapes, schoolyards, parks and greenbelts, cemeteries, and along solutions to help local governments create streams, streets and utility rights-of-way are and maintain programs for managing and all part of the urban community forest. It is preserving their tree resources. This statewide program is authorized by the NJ an ecological network combining natural Shade Tree and Community Forestry and built environments. Assistance Act (NJSA 13:1L-17.1 et.seq.). How do urban and community forestry programs help? Urban and community forestry programs ensure more livable communities through the care and management of trees. Neglected urban trees, especially along streets, can decline in health and become a liability with reduced life spans. But with proper care, trees live longer, look better and increase in value as they age. The New Jersey Urban and Community Forestry Program (NJUCF) provides creative 22 ANJEC REPORT – Autumn Autumn 2024 2024 How can local governments participate in the program? Municipalities and county governments can be become accredited with the NJUCF program by satisfying these requirements: • Prepare a Stewardship Plan for Urban Trees and Forests, approved by the State Forester. • Have two representatives (one municipal employee and one volunteer) complete the NJUCF core training.

• Complete an annual accomplishment report. To maintain NJUCF accreditation a local government must: • Update their plan every five years. • Maintain core training of at least two active representatives. • Earn eight or more continuing educational units by at least two individuals. • Submit an annual accomplishment report. Benefits of accreditation NJ Forest Stewardship Task Force The NJ Forest Stewardship Task Force was formed in 2022 to identify actions that the State Legislature should consider to better protect and manage NJ public forestlands. Some of the recommendations in their 2023 report (https://shorturl.at/LaBjd) include: • Conduct statewide planning and mapping of forested public lands. • Commence a rulemaking process for development of forest management plans and provide interim guidelines for forest management plans. • Identify areas where active management is needed to promote future carbon sequestration, maintain biodiversity and address threats to ecological health. • Identify areas where afforestation and reforestation should occur. • Amplify efforts to address invasive species. • Measure and reduce deer densities. • Continue to use fire as an important management tool. • Protect and manage public forestland to maintain and enhance carbon sequestration and storage to advance climate goals. The NJUCF program provides grants for the development and implementation of a municipal Urban and Community Forest Management Plan. Accreditation in the program also provides a basis for local governments to reduce or eliminate liability associated with local tree care programs and shade tree commissions. A healthy, safe and resilient urban and community forest can provide environmental, economic and social benefits now and for generations to come. More information about the NJUCF program can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ 584x6ayy. Fall is a time for thinking forward By Julie Lange Groth, ANJEC Report Editor When autumn leaves begin to fall, many Environmental Commissions (ECs) hold fall stream cleanups or host fall festivals. In addition to finishing up 2024 projects, ECs should also be planning for 2025. As the year draws to a close, it's a good time to reflect on what's working well and should be continued, how your commission can be SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER more effective and whether you need to recruit new commission members