SOSTP
ABOUT US
Hey there! We're the South Orange Shade Tree Partnership.
A dense canopy of shade trees is critical to the future of South Orange. Trees provide cooling shade, absorb increasing storm water, as well as increasing property values and making our streets more appealing for walking and bike riding. We have lost and not replaced many of the shade trees planted by past generations. The South Orange Shade Tree Partnership was created to reverse this trend and rebuild our tree canopy.
Current Initiatives
Educate Residents
Educate property owners about the importance of replacing trees on their property that are lost by giving them help choosing and planting appropriate new trees.
Inventory Street Trees
Maintain an inventory of locations where new street trees are needed, where tree stumps need to be ground down and where dead or diseased trees need to be cut down.
New Tree Ordinance
The town's current tree ordinance is ineffective. We are working with the town to draft a new ordinance that provides maximum positiveincentives to protect existing trees and plant new ones.
Lobby for More Street Trees
​Drive the town to adopt and implement a plan that restores our street tree population within 10 years and devotes adequate resources to tree watering and pruning to maintain healthy trees.
Managing Trees on Your Property
Learn how to take care of trees
Obtaining a Permit to Cut Down a Tree
South Orange requires a permit for all tree removals and requires that trees on lots over 1/2 acre be replaced on site or a fee paid to the Replacement Tree Fund.
Recommended Species
Planting the right tree in the right location is critical to the long term success of the tree. On our tree list you can find trees of appropriate sizes and for specific conditions. Contact us if you have more questions.