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Guest Column
Louis DiMento
Why Red Bank needs a shade tree commission

The benefits of trees in an urban setting are well known. Environmentally, trees provide shade and cooling during the summer, reduce soil erosion, buffer noise and wind, decrease carbon dioxide and generate oxygen in the air, and offer a haven for wildlife.

Aesthetically, trees are visually pleasant and provide diversity in our natural surroundings and changes in colors over the seasons that makes the community much more appealing.

Unfortunately, there has been a significant loss of trees in the borough of Red Bank as new development has taken place, new parking lots have been added and severe storms have passed through. In each of these cases, little or nothing has been done to protect existing trees or replace them. As a result, the town has lost some of its beauty and charm.

Much of the loss could be rectified if the borough creates a shade tree commission. The commission would operate in a cooperative and constructive way to identify trees that should be preserved or replaced when new development is about to take place. The commission would also identify locations on borough property where new trees would be beneficial to the community. This includes places where trees have been destroyed by storms or other events and have not been replaced.

The commission would adhere to the N.J. Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act which provides for the creation of shade tree commissions. After the borough attains approved status under the act, it would benefit from state grants to develop and implement a forestry plan, to attend training and to plant more trees. And it would reduce or eliminate the liability associated with tree care.

Many other towns in the county have established commissions and are currently enjoying these benefits. These towns include Little Silver, Eatontown, Shrewsbury, Fair Haven, Tinton Falls, Neptune, Oceanport, Ocean Township, Freehold and Howell. Red Bank should follow the lead provided by the state, as these communities have, and improve our environmental and aesthetic quality by creating a shade tree commission.

Louis DiMento is a member of the Red Bank Environmental Commission.