By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
MANSFIELD — The township Environmental Commission is trying to get the word out to residents thinking of removing large trees on their property: Don’t do so without the proper permit.
“I understand that people feel as though their properties are their own, but we don’t want to see our ordinances circumvented, and our trees are considered resources within the township,” said commission member Bob Tallon on Monday.
The township is reminding residents that the tree ordinance requires a permit for tree removal, and the township forester must examine the site prior to removal.
Mr. Tallon said that a common misunderstanding is that residents think this means that they will not be able to remove the tree. He said the commission is not against tree removal.
The commission is categorizing all heritage trees — those that meet certain height, girth, and age requirements — and taking pictures to inventory them as one of the township’s viable natural resources.
“We have white oaks and other exceptional trees that are around,” he said.
He said the topic has been brought up recently at Township Committee meetings.
The tree removal ordinance, passed in 1988, states “excess destruction, removal and cutting of trees upon lots and tracks of land within the township has resulted in increased soil erosion and dust, has deteriorated property values and has further rendered land unfit and unsuitable for its most appropriate use.”
The ordinance was established after a large portion of forested area had been cut down.
Mr. Tallon said tree removal isn’t necessarily plaguing one particular part of the township, and declined to comment on where the latest removals have been taking place.
He said permits rarely cost more than $20.
The difficulty that the commission is currently facing, said Mr. Tallon, is that there isn’t a lot of awareness among township residents of the need to submit a permit.
The township considered enclosing a flier with the next tax bill as a reminder to residents that they must first receive a township-issued permit before proceeding.
“We’re just concerned,” he said of the ordinance, “We want folks to know about this ordinance, it’s there to show that we care about trees, and they’re not just something that we should cut down arbitrarily.”

