Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE MEETING APPROVED MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024 –7:00PM 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Zambrano at 7:00PM. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Dan Zambrano, Christine Blaney, Fred Rella, Terence Beutel, Michael Murtaugh Councilwoman Erin Collins Absent: Beth Staples 3. APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES: The minutes of March 12, 2024 were approved. 4. TREE CITY USA APPLICATION: Chairman Zambrano and Fred Rella stated that Westwood was once again designated a “Tree City USA” community and that this was the 19th year of receiving such designation. Chairman Zambrano presented and all agreed that we would apply for the Tree City USA, “2023 Growth Award.” Fred Rella stated that he would complete and submit the required application. 5. MARCH 2024 TREE WORK: Chairman Zambrano presented the March 2024 spreadsheet for tree work; removals and pruning. 6. MARCH 2024 TREE REQUEST: Chairman Zambrano presented the list for 2024 tree requests. There are 9 new requests since March 12th (last Shade Tree Committee meeting). 10 requests are still open from 2023 and we have 18 new requests for 2024. Thus, there are a total of 28 requests for 2024 that we will ask Rick Woods (DPW Superintendent) to plant for the Spring 2024 tree planting campaign. 7. SHADE TREE EMAILS: Brief Discussion ensued on the five emails that were received about varying tree issues: • 124 Mill St.: Dead curb tree on Mill St. to be replaced, plus new one on 6th Ave. • 32 Clinton Ave.: Rick Woods was aware of the email and dug up sewer main on street. • 427 Clinton Ave.: Following-up about inspecting street tree; requesting removal and replacement due to many branches that were cut and roots lifting sidewalk. • Bogart Place Sidewalk Slabs: Replacement of lifted concrete slabs due to tree roots. Rick Woods is aware of this issue and the owner has a permit. • 72 Emerson Rd.: The homeowner submitted a new tree request. Homeowner also emailed stated they are concerned about limbs falling from trees between 72 and 78 Emerson Rd. 8. COPPER BEECH EVALUATION REPORT: The committee reviewed the evaluation report that was completed by Liz Stewart (the contracted Arborists). Please see the attached report. 9. NJ DEP BIG AND HERITAGE TREE APPLICATION: Committeeperson Christine Blaney is completing the required application and Mayor Arroyo has agreed to sign the application. 10. COMMUNITY FORESTRY CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT EARNED: Arborist, Liz Stewart submitted for the necessary paperwork and we received 8.75 CE credits for the training session. Liz conducted the training for the committee at the March 12th monthly meeting. Please see the attached credits earned. 11. COLUMBIA BANK ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING DONATION: Columbia Bank is donating a tree for planting at Hegeman Park on Tuesday, April 16th as part of the Borough’s Arbor Day celebration. 12. ARBOR FEST 2024 PLANTING #1 FEEDBACK: It was agreed by all that the first Arbor Fest 2024 planting at Gritman Park was a huge success. 13. OTHER COMMITTEE ITEMS: None 14. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:40PM  Elizabeth Stewart NJ Licensed Tree Expert #531 NJ ISA Arborist #1380A Evaluation of Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica purpurea) 3/21/24: Veteran’s Memorial Park, 50 Madison Ave, Westwood, NJ 07675. Photos on file. Tree: Fagus sylvatica purpurea (European copper beech) 56” DBH (176” circumference), approximate 70ft height and spread, mature tree. There is a visible root flair with no concerning defects at the base of the tree. The soil around the tree is bare and is most likely compacted due to pedestrian traffic. There are name and initial carvings in the trunk along approximately 4ft of the trunk from the base up. The crown is in good overall health with viable buds noted throughout the canopy. This type of tree typically holds leaves over winter and there were leaves still holding on from the previous fall indicating good health and viability of the tree. There is some minor deadwood at the tips of the low handing branches mostly due to pedestrian damage as people pass through under the tree. There is minor deadwood being shed naturally in the canopy. The live crown-trunk ratio is over 50%, and is probably closer to 75%, which is excellent indicating a healthy canopy and proper maintenance. This tree has been well maintained throughout its life where pruning that was done to maintain a natural shape and allowing the tree to be able to compartmentalize (respond to pruning cuts) well. There is minor deadwood and some minor crossing branches in the crown that would be difficult to prune without bringing in large equipment which would damage the low hanging branches and potentially compacting the soil in the root zone. The minor tree maintenance needed would not be enough to bring a climber in. The tree is in overall good condition, good form and good structural condition. Recommendations: The Borough does yearly maintenance on the tree and brings in an outside tree company to do preventative feedings boosting the tree’s health. I would recommend adding a 2” layer of bark mulch or pine nugget mulch over the root zone out to the canopy drip line. However, be careful using only sterilized mulch so as not to introduce pathogens such as Beech Leaf Disease nematodes, fungal spores, or aphids to the tree. Depending on the condition of the soil present and level of compaction the tree maintenance company could advise further on deep soil vertical mulching as long as the tree roots are not negatively impacted. Deep watering can be implemented during drought periods. Beech Leaf Disease is a threat to trees in Bergen County- this tree should be monitored for signs and treated with the most updated information available. There is not a clear method of infection identified yet and treatments are still experimental as for effectiveness. Preventative measures are to keep the tree healthy. Tree Valuation: $107,207.28 (see calculations below) p. 1 of 4 Landmark/Historical Tree Status : I would consider this tree a landmark tree with significant value to the community. It is a well maintained tree in good health and has excellent form for its species, is of an age that is over 100 yrs. old., has a significant calculated monetary value, is featured in Veteran’s Park in a busy intersection of town, and seems to have some historical significance as documented by stories below. To determine the accurate age of the tree, a core trunk sample of the wood would need to be taken by boring into the tree trunk. This is a labor intensive process that can introduce decay into the tree. An alternative acceptable method to determine the approximate age of a tree is to use a calculation. This does not take into consideration other factors that could determine a tree’s age including location, access to water, nutrients, oxygen and light and the accurate age of this tree is variable based on the individual tree. The age of this tree was determined using a calculation based on DBH : DBH X Growth Factor = Approximate Tree Age. The growth factor for European Beech is 4.5 or being more conservatively can us a factor of 3. Using acceptable age calculations this tree could be (56” DBH x 4.5 or more conservatively x 3) = approximately 168-252 yrs. old As a general comparison, the NJ Big Tree Registry lists trees in Bergen County with the following sizes: Champion American Beech 73” DBH, 103 ft height and spread in Oradell; Champion Red Beech 37” DBH 65ft height, 71ft. spread in Clifton; Signature Tree European Beech 53” DBH, 91ft height, 108ft spread in Westfield NJ. From my experience counting tree rings and calculating the age of trees in the Bergen County area, the age above does represent accurate numbers as reasonably done as possible. General European Beech Tree Information: Fagus sylvatica purpurea, commonly known as Copper Beech, is an ornamental form of the European Beech. The tree was thought to be brought to America in the mid-1700’s by European colonists. This species of tree can grow 60-80 feet tall and 40-60 feet wide with a rounded to pyramidal crown. They have alternate branching with broad oval shaped smooth leaves. The bark is smooth and grey with the growing habit of the lower branches drooping down to protect the bark from sun scorch. The leaves begin in spring as orangey-copper turning to a deep plum-wine color for the summer with fall color becoming yellow to copper. Beech trees are monoecious, bearing both male and female flowers on the same tree. In the spring the male parts are the catkins that hang down from the twigs while female flowers are held closer surrounded by a cup. The fertilized female part turns into the beech nut fruit. The tree is considered mature at around 30yrs old which is when it starts producing nuts. The fall nuts are edible and are an important food for wildlife. This tree prefers fertile well-drained moist soil in full sun to part shade and doesn't tolerate wet soils. As with other trees in the plant family Fagaceae (beech, oaks, chestnuts) they do not like the roots disturbed once transplanted and the mature tree does not tolerate extensive pruning as the wood does not heal over easily. No major insect or disease problems but are prone to fungal issues such as powdery mildew and leaf spot as well as aphid infestation when planted in a too wet environment. Recently Beech Leaf Disease has been identified in Bergen County which can affect all beech trees negatively. Trees should be monitored for the disease. Treatment is still experimental at this time. p. 2 of 4 Some History & Lore of the Westwood NJ Veteran’s Park European Copper Beech: THE KISSING TREE Have you ever walked through Veteran’s Park and noticed the enormous Copper Beech Tree gracing the landscape with its stately presence? Beneath its large, natural canopy you may have caught a glimpse of children playing hide and seek, or someone taking a much needed respite in the shade on a hot summer’s day. But did you know that this magnificent tree with its secluded umbrella is also known as The Kissing Tree? Interestingly, Copper Beech trees are not native to the northeast, so how did it get here? A local tree expert estimates that the tree is more than 150 years old and one theory is that a Civil War Soldier on his return home from the south planted a small sapling. Unfortunately, that theory cannot be verified.” Copper Beech by James Gines, Westwood Heritage Society: Estimated by NJLTE Bill Murtaugh, Borough Arborist 2021, to be between 140 or more years old. Copper Beech does not grow in this area, and had to be imported and planted. This goes along with the story told by Leigh Hopper that one of our civil war soldiers brough two saplings home from the south, planted one in Westwood and the other planted by Van Ryper farm. It is called the kissing tree. Under its branches, many couples would share their first kiss. This was confirmed at a reunion of the class of 1943, that they did kiss under the tree, and well know. See postcard picture of 1st station. From Helen Whalen - The Copper Beech Tree Our beautiful copper beech was dubbed the “Kissing tree” by Westwood High School students because so many of them said that was where they got their first kiss. Leigh Hopper whose family roots go back to early Westwood, (His great-great-grandfather was I.T. Brickell), remembers his father saying it was brough to Westwood by a returning Civil War veteran and planted in the park. At the time that property wasn’t part of the park and the house on that lot was Genest Ottignon’s, a civil war vet. Pascack Tales II p21: On the shopping center grounds (A&P) stands the copper beech tree brought home and planted in 1865 by Frederick P. Van Riper upon his return from service in the civil war. (Frederick P. Van Riper married Charlotte Ann Demarest of Westwood, son James Van Riper 5/16/1856). p. 3 of 4  TREE EVALUATION FORM Based on “Guide for Plant Appraisal”, 9th Edition published by ISA 2000 Name of Evaluator:__liz stewart___________ Signature:__liz stewart________ Date:_3/21/24_____ Location of tree:__Veterans Park, 50 Madison Ave, Westwood NJ 07675_______________ Species, Cultivar or variety:_ Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica purpurea)__________________ Size: Trunk Diameter (DBH): ___56”____________ Cross Section Area___2,463__sq. inch. 1. Replacement Cost: Largest Transplantable Tree – 4” Caliper = $1,500.00. 2. Basic price of replacement tree = $48.00 per sq. inch. 3. Difference in trunk areas of appraised & replacement trees: a. Appraised tree trunk area: _________2.463_ sq. inch b. Replacement tree trunk area: -12.6 sq. inch c. Difference in trunk areas = ________2,450.4_ sq. inch 4. Basic Price – Multiply difference in trunk areas: $48.00 sq. inch X ___2,450.4_____ sq. inch = $_117,619.20_____ 5. Species – adjust line 4 by species rating __100_% = $_117,619.20______ 6. Basic Value = $1,500.00 + $______________ = $__119,119.20_____ (line 1) (line 5) 7. Condition – adjust line 6 by condition rating ____90__% = $__107,207.28_____ 8. Location – adjust line 7 by location rating ______100_% = $_107,207.28_______ 9. Appraised Value = $_107,207.28______ WORKSHEET FOR ABOVE CALCULATIONS: Species Rating: based on list of Northern NJ tree types: 80-100% range Condition: good Location: good – center of busy intersection of town within Veteran’s Park. Specimen Tree in good condition. In addition to their benefits, trees are living and inherently pose a certain degree of hazard and risk from breakage, failure or other causes and conditions. Recommendations that are made by me are intended to minimize or reduce hazardous conditions that may be associated with trees. However, there can be no guarantee or certainty that efforts to correct unsafe conditions will prevent breakage or failure of a tree. Any recommendations made should reduce the risk of tree failure but they cannot eliminate such risk, especially in the event of a storm or any act of Nature. There can be no guarantee that all hazardous conditions will be detected. Common sense, experience, and professional judgment were used to create this report. I certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief that the statements contained in this report are true and correct and that the opinions, evaluations, and conclusions are limited only by the reported assumptions and limiting conditions. My analysis, opinions, and conclusions were developed, and this report was prepared in conformity with the TCIA A300 Best Management Practice Standards and they are my personal, unbiased professional analysis, opinions, and conclusions. I have no personal or prospective interest in the subject of this report and with respect to the parties involved, nor is my compensation contingent upon an outcome of the report. p. 4 of 4  Elizabeth Stewart NJ Licensed Tree Expert #531 NJ ISA Arborist #1380A Training Program / Request for Community Forestry Continuing Education Units Description: 7 Committee members and municipal employees attended a Municipal Shade Tree Management training seminar at the Borough of Westwood Shade Tree meeting, organized by Dan Zambrano, chair of the Shade Tree Committee. Date: March 12th, 2024 Location: Westwood Borough Hall, 101 Washington Ave, NJ 07675 Presented by liz stewart, NJLTE #531 Time: 7:30pm to 8:45pm Topics discussed: • Sidewalks, sewers & trees – programs to implement • Community outreach – benefit of trees and how to engage residents • Re-establishing a community forestry program & inventory Attending Sign In: Credits requested:1.25hrs x 7 = ___8.75_____ Signed: liz stewart NJ LTE #531 NJ ISA Arborist #1380A 3/12/24  Elizabeth Stewart NJ Licensed Tree Expert #531 NJ ISA Arborist #1380A lizstewart222@gmail.com 201-294-8438 12th March 2024 To: Training Coordinator Community Forestry Continuing Education Re: BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NJ Please find the enclosed copy of the course outline for a talk I gave as a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert. The presentation was given on March 12, 2024 at the Westwood Shade Tree Committee meeting and was a total of 1.25hrs. The sign in sheet for the presentation is also enclosed. If any additional information is needed, please let me know. Sincerely, liz stewart, NJLTE #531 NJ Licensed Tree Expert NJ ISA Arborist #1380A email: lizstewart222@gmail.com cell: 201-294-8438