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NJ Tree Foundation outlines fall planting plan for Hamilton Township
Summary
Mike Sherr, Central Jersey program director for the NJ Tree Foundation, told the Shade Tree Commission the foundation has a new budget to plant trees in census-block-specific areas and township parks near Trenton, with resident-driven requests, a 10-tree minimum, and planting to begin mid–early October.
Mike Sherr, Central Jersey program director for the NJ Tree Foundation, told the Hamilton Township Shade Tree Commission on April 28 that the foundation has received a large budget to expand plantings across central New Jersey, targeting census-block specific areas and parks near Trenton.
The program is resident-driven: Sherr said the foundation “will only plant if invited” and is setting a 10-tree minimum for deployments. The foundation’s budget, he said, covers concrete cutting where needed and materials such as watering bags and mulch. Planting is anticipated to begin in mid to early October.
Why it matters: The foundation’s targeted, block-level approach aims to increase tree canopy in neighborhoods and parks that historically have fewer street or park trees. For Hamilton, the foundation and commission discussed prioritizing township parks and neighborhoods close to Trenton, and coordinating locations around underground utilities.
Commission members pressed several practical details: homeowners who request a tree must notify the commission if they have an irrigation system, and the program expects homeowners who request a tree to water it themselves. The commission and Sherr said the foundation will help identify park locations, but placement depends on utility clearances.
The foundation’s approach could accelerate planting beyond the commission’s existing plans: the commission also reported roughly 120 trees already queued in its local pipeline. The Shade Tree Commission said it will publish tree-request information in the township newsletter and coordinate next steps with the foundation.
The commission did not take a formal vote on partnership terms at the meeting; members said more logistical work and site selection will follow before plantings begin.
