Plainfield tree politics: Rotten to the core?

A large 'city' tree fell on Kensington Avenue last week.





Dead 'city' tree at Watchung and Carleton Avenues.

Are Plainfield's tree politics rotten to the core?

First, you are probably asking 'tree politics'?

With the recent fall of a huge street tree on Kensington Avenue across the roadway, taking down lines and leaving the neighborhood without power, it became a matter deserving attention.

And then, when I was taking pictures of the signs made by the owner of 1101 Watchung Avenue in support of Muhlenberg, I noticed a dead street tree leaning perilously into the roadway.

As we all know, nothing in Plainfield is ever as simple as it first seems.

The launch of Plainfield's participation in the state's 'Ten City Tree Program' a few years ago was greeted warmly by the community as well as tree enthusiasts.

Saplings were gotten and planted in various locations around town as street repairs were done, and curbs and street trees were replaced.

Ceremonies were held at City Hall as specimen trees were planted.

Youngsters gathered at a city-owned lot in the First Ward which was to become the city's own tree 'nursery'.

And then came the harder part.

One of the goals of the state program is that each community should assess their street trees (also called 'city' trees, because they are planted between the sidewalk and the roadway on property that is considered 'public' and the responsibility for these trees' upkeep belongs to the city) and prepare an inventory for maintenance and replacement by identifying those that are dead, those that are dying, those in need of trimming and other attention, and those that are fine.

And this is where the wicket is sticky.

Closeup of dead street tree at Watchung and Carleton.

Seems the Administration of Mayor Robinson-Briggs does not want to do an inventory. Because, the argument goes, this would make the City liable if a dead tree fell on someone or something before the City got it attended to.

Never mind that, by the state's reasoning, preparing the inventory and adopting a plan of action and beginning to execute it would be prima facie evidence of the City's good intent.

So here we are. With perhaps hundreds (who knows?) of dead trees lining both sides of Plainfield's 120 miles of roadway, and many more in need of attention.

What is to be done?

Well, if the Administration doesn't feel the need to get going, it doesn't mean residents can't pitch in.

Documenting tree conditions with photographs and sending copies of same along with a REGISTERED letter detailing the location, date and condition of the tree(s) in question puts the Administration legally on notice, I am told.

Then, if the Administration does NOTHING, they will indeed be liable.

Is there a better way to get something going?

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-- Dan Damon

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