All tree work including pruning, removing, and planting a tree requires a tree permit and must be performed by a licensed professional. Click here or a list of licensed tree professionals.

The professional performing the tree work should be the applicant for the tree permit, not the property owner. 

For questions, contact the Hoboken Shade Tree Commission at  kmissbrenner.hstc@gmail.com or 201.420.2000 x4004.

PERMIT CONDITIONS:

The person, persons, or entity issued this permit acknowledge that they may be held liable for all damages that may arise by reason of accident or carelessness. 

Unless otherwise approved by the Shade Tree Commission or Director of Environmental Services:

• Newly planted trees shall have straight stems of no less than two and one-half (2.5) or three (3) inches in caliper, with single leaders, branching a minimum of seven (7) feet from the ground.
• Tree pits shall be a minimum of five (5) feet long and three (3) feet wide.
• The tree stump and roots must be ground out and all debris, branches, etc. must be removed from the sidewalk area around the tree, which, if altered, must be repaired and restored to its original condition to eliminate any hazards to pedestrians.
• The practice of “Tree Topping” when pruning or trimming trees is prohibited.  “Tree Topping” is the practice of cutting branches back to stubs on main stem or on lateral branches not large enough to sustain the remaining branch.  “Tree Topping” leads to decay of and, in many cases, eventual killing of the tree.  
• Tree guards are encouraged. Tree guards shall have three (3) sides, the open side facing the curb, 12-18 inches high, around the entire perimeter of the tree hole with bark mulch pursuant to Hoboken Shade Tree Commission’s standards.
• Trees shall be watered every other day with five (5) gallons, totalling at least twenty (20) gallons per week. The most important factor in the survival of Hoboken's street trees is that they receive the proper amount of water.  Treegator bags are encouraged. A “treegator” bag is a watering bag that fills up quickly and drains slowly, this allows water to soak down to the roots where it is needed. 
• As per the “Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act,” tree work cannot be performed without the proper license or certification. One of the following is required to perform tree work: LTE (Licensed Tree Expert) or LTCO (Licensed Tree Care Operator). 

NOTE: TREE SPECIES MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SHADE TREE COMMISSION

The permittee shall provide a certificate of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 naming the City of Hoboken as co-insured, prior to the tree work. The permittee shall be liable for any loss, damage, or injury to any person or persons whatsoever by reason of negligence of the permittee. The City of Hoboken shall not be liable in such instance and submission of this application constitutes agreement to hold the City of Hoboken harmless and indemnify the city to the fullest extent of the law.