BOROUGH OF FAIR LAWN

Fall Tree Planting Initiative

Borough of Fair Lawn’s Green Team, Shade Tree Committee &

Mayor and Council.

Did you know that the Borough will provide trees to be planted in front of your home… for FREE?

The Borough offers eight different native species of trees that can be planted in the grass strip between the sidewalk and street curb (also known as the Borough’s right-of way).

“NO WAY!!!! HOW DO I GET AN AWESOME FREE TREE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE?”

You can log onto www.fairlawn.org and click on “SERVICE REQUEST”. After you type in your address, click “NEW TREE REQUEST” on the dropdown box. It’s that easy!

"BUT I'M NOT A COMPUTER PERSON AND I WANT A TREE?"

No worries…. Just give us a call at 201-794-5305.

“WHEN CAN YOU PLANT A FREE TREE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE?”

The Borough will plant trees twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. The Borough is preparing for its Fall Tree Planting so we highly suggest that you contact us now!

“WHAT SPECIES OF FREE TREES DOES THE BOROUGH OFFER?”

That is a GREAT question! We offer:

• Willow Oak, Quercus phellos
• Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor
• Black Gum, Tupelo, Sour Gum, Nyssa sylvatica
•  Red Maple, Acer rubrum
• American Hophornbeam, Ostrya virginiana
• Hedge Maple, Acer campestre
• Allegheny Serviceberry, Amelanchier Laevis
• Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’ or ‘Forest Pansy’

“CAN I ASK FOR A SPECIFIC TYPE OF TREE?”

You can definitely request a specific species of the trees we offer, but we cannot guarantee that we can honor your request. This depends on the availability of the tree and the location (meaning some locations cannot accommodate larger trees). 

If you want more information on each of these trees and an example of their appearance, take a look at the photographs and information below!

Willow Oak, Quercus phellos

• 60-75’ tall x 55-70’ spread
• Large native deciduous tree with dense growth habit
• Tolerates poorly drained soil
• Acorns
• Ideal for wet sites and adaptable to wet or dry conditions

Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor

• 50-60’ tall x 50-60’ spread
• Large native deciduous tree with ornamental bark
• Fall color in shades of yellow, bronze and red-purple
• Prefers full sun and grows well in an urban setting
• Tolerates compacted soil, drought and some salt exposure
• Acorns

Black Gum, Tupelo, Sour Gum, Nyssa sylvatica

• 30-60’ tall x 20-30’ spread
• Medium native deciduous tree
• Pyramidal shape when young, becoming more rounded with age
• Noted for Fall coloration that is often bright scarlet
• Prefers full sun or partial shade
• Ideal for wet sites but tolerates drought
• Small, oval berries grow to be ½” long and mature to a shade of dark blue in autumn

Red Maple, Acer rubrum

• 40-60’ tall x 35-45’ spread
• Large native deciduous tree
• Scarlet leaves in Fall
• Leaves provide food for 300 species of caterpillars

American Hophornbeam, Ostrya virginiana

• 20-40’ tall x 15-30’ spread
• Small understory tree
• Rounded, pyramidal shape
• Can thrive in full sun or full shade

Hedge Maple, Acer campestre

• 30-35’ tall x 30-35’ spread
• Not native to North America
• Medium deciduous tree

Allegheny Serviceberry, Amelanchier Laevis

• 15-25’ tall x 15-25’ spread
• Small, native understory tree
• Fragrant white flowers bloom in May
• Small, dark-purple, 3/8” berry-like fruit

Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’ or ‘Forest Pansy’

• 20-30’ tall x 15-25’ spread
• Small native deciduous tree
• Flowers provide early Spring pollen and nectar to hummingbirds, butterflies and bees
• Host for butterfly larvae
• Seeds are eaten by birds

“BUT WHY WOULD I WANT A FREE TREE PLANTED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE?”

I mean, who wouldn’t want a beautiful free tree in front of their home, but if you would like more benefits then we’re glad to share: Trees enhance the beauty of your home, the vibrancy of your neighborhood and the health of our ecosystem. They also provide shade and keep our homes cooler in the summer. And they just don’t benefit humans, they are also a source of food and shelter to local and migratory birds.

So log onto www.fairlawn.org or give us a call at 201-794-5305.

We look forward to seeing your home’s new tree!