GARWOOD–TheGarwoodShadeTree AdvisoryBoardislookingforwardtoitsfirst full year as a formally created entity of the Borough. The purpose of the Board is to provide recommendations andadvicetotheMayorand Council, Planning Board, and other Borough Departments for regulations and actions for the protection of trees and shrubbery upon publiclands,easementsand rights-of-way in the Borough. In other words, the Board is responsible for all oftheshadetrees-plantings, pruning, removal and sidewalk interference- between thesidewalkandcurbalong every street.

The board is starting off 2024 with one vacancy and looks forward to one more Borough resident with an interest in and some knowledge of shade trees volunteering to be a part of the restoration of Garwood’s tree canopy. Each member is assigned a section of the Borough to review and respond – with the Shade Tree Officer’s guidance- to requests for tree related work. The Board works closelywiththeDepartmentofPublicWorks to coordinate all work. We also hold an annualArborDayceremonyonArborDay, which will be on Friday, April 26, 2024.

The board was disappointed in mid-December 2023 when work had to stop on the Borough awarded contracts forroadreconstruction projects including portions of Second, Third and Locust avenues, and all of Fifth Avenue and Maple Street, and sidewalk improvements at other various locations throughout the Borough as these projects would have resulted in the planting of over 100 new trees. These trees will now be planted in thespringof2024. TheBoard was successful, however in working with the Union County Shade Tree Bureau and having 11 new trees planted along SouthAvenue. We also look forward to the State of New Jersey Department of Transportation planting 24 trees along North Avenue in the spring of 2024.

The board meets the Fourth Tuesday of everyothermonthstartinginFebruary2024. Any and all interested residents should contact Borough Hall to complete an appointment form in order to be appointed, or contact Shade Tree Officer Bill Nierstedt.