Shade Tree Commission warns Morristown of oversalting, plans invasive‑species ordinance amendment

Kristen Ace, representing the Morristown Shade Tree Commission, told the Town Council on Feb. 25 that the commission has documented "over‑salting" practices around the downtown, municipal properties and parking authority sites that exceed New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection guidelines.

Ace said she circulated a packet of salting information to council members and described salt damage to street trees and downstream impacts on the Whippany River cleanup effort involving Morristown and six neighboring municipalities. "These practices kill trees...but it also kills our waterways," Ace said.

The Shade Tree Commission is also preparing language to amend the town’s invasive‑species ordinance to add emerging invasive plants. Ace said the proposed amendment will appear on a future council agenda and that the commission will continue public outreach on permitted and prohibited plants for private property.

Why it matters

Excessive salting can harm roadside vegetation, increase chloride levels in waterways and impede municipal restoration work. The commission’s proposed ordinance language on emerging invasives is intended to prevent new plantings that could become invasive, reducing future removal costs and ecological harm.

Council response and next steps

Ace said the commission’s invasive‑species amendment "should be on your agenda for next council meeting," and urged council members to share the salting guidance with businesses within their wards. Council did not take immediate legislative action on salting practices at the meeting; the invasive‑species amendment was presented as forthcoming and will return for council consideration.

Sources: Public comment by Kristen Ace at the Feb. 25 Town Council meeting and the commission’s distributed packet.