By Matthew Hersh

The health, growth, and preservation of Princeton’s “urban forest” will require community investment and stewardship, public outreach, and building community partnerships on forest renewal and preservation, according to the town’s Five-Year Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP) for 2025-2029.

Princeton’s CFMP serves as a guide for the town’s approach to urban and community forestry, ensuring safety and health benefits for residents while establishing a long-term framework to strengthen public safety, climate resilience, and stewardship of the community’s
tree canopy.

“Beyond contributing to the beauty and character of our neighborhoods, Princeton’s tree canopy is vital environmental infrastructure that plays a critical role in supporting community well-being and strengthening climate resilience,” said Taylor Sapudar, Princeton’s municipal arborist, who led a December 22 Council discussion on the new plan. “Trees help lower temperatures, improve air quality, manage stormwater, and provide habitat for wildlife. The Community Forestry Management Plan serves as a roadmap for proactive tree care efforts
through 2029.”

Princeton’s CFMP accomplishments under the prior four-year accreditation include a community-wide tree inventory, tree canopy assessment, updates to tree and shrub ordinances, the 45-acre forest restoration in Community Park North, and 250 trees planted in 2025 alone with an emphasis on species diversity and climate adaptation.

Sapudar also noted microforest creation as a highlight of Princeton’s CFMP. Princeton’s first microforest, or “tiny forest,” was planted last fall at Quarry Park in an area where grass and invasive plants ran rampant. Microforests are generally known to reach maturity in 20-30 years, rather than a century, because of the level of density required for smaller spaces. In Quarry Park, there are nearly 1,300 native trees and shrubs over 6,000 square feet.

“Recent projects like the Quarry Park Microforest, the Community Park North restoration, and continued investment in planting and maintenance show how seriously Princeton takes the stewardship of its urban forest,” said Councilman

and Shade Tree Liaison Brian McDonald. “The new Community Forestry Management Plan builds on that progress, providing a clear framework to guide future decisions and ensure our trees continue to support safety, sustainability, and quality of life for residents.”

Sapudar highlighted the level of community outreach undertaken under the existing CFMP, including landscaper education programs with Sustainable Princeton, Arbor Day presentations with Princeton Public Schools, tree giveaways at Community Night Out and Porch Fest, and “Tree of the Month” features on
social media.

The next five years will see more community outreach, the development of a community forestry ordinance, and tree resource management, Sapudar said. Also strengthening stream buffers, planting at least 1,500 trees on municipal lands during the five-year term, woodland acquisition and green space development, and disaster planning, including the development of a wildfire protection and evacuation plan.

Council also adopted an amendment to the Tree Removal Permit ordinance that lowers the minimum regulated tree size from eight inches to six inches in diameter and increases the tree replacement ratios. This change applies to commercial development and residential properties and addresses canopy loss by requiring on-site tree replacements or contributing to the municipal tree replacement fund, which supports year-to-year planting efforts and the continued growth of Princeton’s tree canopy, said McDonald.

“The Shade Tree Commission is pleased to see the approval of the CFMP, which provides Princeton a framework to manage its public trees and access the protections and support provided under the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act,” said Sharon Ainsworth, Shade Tree Commission chair. “The strengthened Tree Removal Permit ordinance complements this work by helping protect existing canopy and ensuring that new development contributes to long-term canopy growth.”