Why Are Shade Trees Important?

Shade trees:

• Provide shade to cool homes, streets, buildings, in fact, the entire
  Borough. Cooler homes require less air conditioning which reduces
  energy costs and its impact on the environment. The larger the tree
  the greater the benefit;
• Improve air quality by absorbing greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and
  other air pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfer dioxide
  and by releasing oxygen;
• Reduce stormwater run-off and the potential for soil erosion;
• Provide habitat for birds and other wildlife;
• Increase property values; and
• Enhance aesthetic qualities that serve as a source of community pride
  and contribute to a better quality of life.

All these benefits increase as our canopy cover increases. By establishing and maintaining maximum tree cover, Leonia is able to realize the maximum benefits its urban forest can provide to all its residents.

Help Keep Leonia Green! Interested in a free Shade Tree?

The Leonia Shade Tree Commission (the “STC”) is excited to announce our new Private Property Planting Program - a program that offers Leonia residents the opportunity to have planted on their property (i.e. in the area between the house and sidewalk) a 6 to 8 foot shade tree (of the resident’s choice) at no cost to the resident. The STC will also arrange for the planting. While there is no cost to the resident for purchasing or planting the tree, the resident will own and be responsible for the care of the tree after planting at the property owner’s own cost.

The impetus for this program was the realization that the public right of way is often not ideal for planting shade trees because of the overhead utility lines and suboptimal space between the curb and sidewalk. In order to restore and maintain Leonia’s overall canopy cover which sets Leonia apart from neighboring towns and ensure the right tree is planted in the right place, the STC believes it is imperative to plant in both the public right of way and on private property.

Since shade trees require ample space to grow, we are looking for properties that have an appropriate planting area that will support the health and growth of a shade tree. The planting area should allow for the growth of tree with enough distance from any nearby overhead utility lines and sidewalks. Currently, under the program, the trees may not be planted in the backyards of residents. If you believe your property has such an ideal planting area, please reach out to us by sending us an email at shadetree@leonianj.gov and a member of the STC will reach out to you with further information regarding the program and choices of trees:

Read more about the Private Property Planting Program.

Possible choice of shade tree as well as others:

Tulip poplar - fast growing shade tree
Red or Sugar Maple – beautiful fall color
Little Leaf Linden – beautiful heart-shaped leaves
Northern Red Oak - Perfect for acidic soil - good branches for kids to swing
Zelkova - Good for small yards or alongside or front of home
American Sycamore - beautiful bark, needs space to grow
Eastern White Pine - Evergreen that will shade your home all year long

Tree Evaluations/Removal

If you have a tree that is on Borough property or on the right of way in front of your property that looks damaged or diseased, contact the Shade Tree Commission via "Request Service" on the website for an inspection.

If the tree does need to have work performed on it, the work will be performed by the Borough at no cost to you. Please contact Borough Hall at 201-592-5780 and select menu option 4 for the Building Department (Monday through Friday during business hours) or the Police Department at 201-944-0800 (Saturday and Sunday). In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Printable Tree Removal Permits Applications can be mailed to the Leonia Building Department, 312 Broad Avenue, Leonia, NJ 07605 or dropped off in person on the second floor of Borough Hall on 312 Broad Avenue.