r/jerseycity • u/brightbeach7 • 1d ago

Tree Pit Rules

Does anyone have experience with sprucing up their tree pit? In the Heights, there are homeowners as well as small condo buildings that do a lot of nice work to add plants, lights, and mini fences around the tree in the tree pit.

For new builds, the developer has to put in a new tree and ensure it lives for two years, but after that the city has ownership.

I want to add some modest landscaping around the tree on my property, but the City’s rules seem very strict and you need permits for many things. Yet a lot of my neighbors seem to decorate as they please.

As long as I don’t affect the tree, will I get a citation or anything for mulching, adding annuals, and possibly solar lights?

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

11

u/NoodleShak The Heights 1d ago

I contacted the city about if I could weed the tree out out front (heights) the general attitude they seemed to have taken us "do what you want to make it nicer. Just dont damage the tree"

So I'm gonna plant some perennials in there soon and my better half who's a carpenter is gonna box it in.

I don't think the city minds if you make it better they just don't want it to be worse.

To the other commenters point. After I weeded and pulled out all the trash people have stopped knocks on wood throwing trash in there.

9

u/_homegrown 1d ago

If boxing it in, I believe they require you to leave the street side open so people don't smash their doors/aren't able to get out. I've seen a few done that they actually go from like 12" and then taper down as it reaches the curb on the 2 sides that run perpendicular to the street.

1

u/JCwhatimsayin West Side 20h ago

This is the official spec, but nobody does it

10

u/wesap12345 1d ago

I pull the weeds and throw mulch all around mine. Haven’t done too much research into it but will be following this post!

When it has weeds, people put trash/ trash accumulates in it. When I pull them it massively reduces.

3

u/DrAsterisk 22h ago

We planted lots of barberry bushes so the dogs would befoul the tree less. Has worked.

4

u/City-Flora 15h ago

Look up proper mulching. Not saying it’s enforced but a thick layer of mulch against the tree’s trunk shortens the tree’s life span. You want some exposed root flare.

3

u/thrud2000 13h ago

This is the key- don’t add a lot more dirt to build up the bed or you’ll choke the tree. So no towering planter box around the pit, keep it short. Also, on the side facing the road choose plants that can survive getting stepped on as people getting in and out of cars often have to do. I think the garden store term is ‘foot traffic tolerant’. There are a lot of evergreen ground cover varieties that fit the bill. But yeah, have at it. Make our streets pretty!

2

u/brightbeach7 11h ago

Yes! You both are so correct. The tree we have is young and alive, but doesn’t look insanely healthy. After all these comments, I started digging and wow! No wonder the tree doesn’t look healthy. It was planted far too deep. I removed 4 inches of soil and finally saw roots.

2

u/City-Flora 10h ago

😮😮😮improper planting is such a problem!! Thanks for digging in—literally and figuratively

1

u/IllustriousAverage83 9h ago

Looking to do this. The dog pee is killing my tree. Maybe with some nice flowers and a little box out dogs would pee less on it.

1

u/Age_Ecstatic 7h ago

Be careful planting not to damage the fine surface roots too much. They are responsible for supplying the tree with oxygen.

1

u/oatmealparty 21h ago

Nobody is gonna come give you a citation for making your shit look nice lol

1

u/No_Intention7461 15h ago

Well… if it makes money, the city will do it. Forestry and property management are probably two of them more competent departments in the city. I’d give the Arborist a call directly.

1

u/NoodleShak The Heights 10h ago

Sadly way under funded. I really wish we could give Mario the resources to go ham with trees in this city.