Quick answer
Yes, we take down and trim trees across Cherry Hill. The difference here is the permit: removing, or cutting more than 30 percent of, any tree 5 inches DBH or larger needs one from the township, even when the tree is dead. Residential permits carry no fee. Beyond that, the jobs are mostly big shade trees over houses and storm damage along the river and creek edges.
Three healthy trees a year, any number of dead ones
Cherry Hill's rule covers removal of any tree 5 inches DBH or larger, whether it is healthy, in poor condition or dead, plus pruning that takes off more than 30 percent of a tree. Trees under 5 inches and routine pruning are exempt, so ordinary tree trimming needs no permit. Invasive species and trees posing an imminent threat are exempt too, after a check with Public Works.
On a residential lot the permit is free. You can take out any number of dead trees and up to three healthy or poor-condition trees in a 12-month period. A fourth has to be replaced one-for-one or offset with a $175 payment to the Cherry Hill Tree Fund, so if several trees need to go, spreading the work across two permit years can save the fee.
Cherry Hill jobs, with the permit in mind
Most of these need the township permit once the tree is 5 inches or thicker; pruning under the 30 percent line does not.
- Tree RemovalHealthy shade trees counted against the three-per-year residential allowance, permit first.
- Dead Tree RemovalDead trees still need the free permit, but there is no yearly limit on how many come out.
- Storm Damage CleanupUprooted trees and limb piles after storms like June 2020, with Public Works told about imminent-threat work.
- Tree PlantingOne-for-one replacement trees when you go past three healthy removals instead of paying the $175 fund fee.
- Crown ReductionShortening a big crown while staying under the 30 percent line that would trigger a permit.
Commercial lots and the seven-day wait
Business properties are on a stricter track. A commercial application costs $100, every tree removed has to be replaced one-for-one or paid at $300 each into the Tree Fund, and permits take about seven business days. Cutting without one can bring a municipal court summons for both the owner and the tree contractor, which is why we schedule commercial tree work in Cherry Hill only after the permit is issued.
Cooper River, Pennsauken Creek and the June 2020 storm
Water marks two of Cherry Hill's borders: Pennsauken Creek on the east, where the township meets Burlington County, and the Cooper River on the south. About 74,553 people lived on its 24.07 square miles of land in 2020. Cooper River Park, 346.55 acres shared with neighboring towns, runs a 3.8-mile loop past memorial groves, and its eastern end is dense, mature forest.
On the evening of June 3, 2020, a severe thunderstorm uprooted trees across Cherry Hill and buried backyards in fallen limbs. Storm-wrecked trees can fall under the imminent-threat exemption, but that still runs through Public Works, so make the call to the township before or alongside the call to us.
Cherry Hill tree questions
Yes, if it is 5 inches DBH or larger. The residential permit is free and has no limit on dead trees, but the township still wants the application on file before the cut.
Up to three healthy or poor-condition trees per 12 months on a residential lot. Each one beyond that needs a replacement tree or a $175 payment into the Cherry Hill Tree Fund.
The township can issue a municipal court summons to both the property owner and the tree contractor. The risk falls on you as well, so ask to see the permit before work starts.
Not for routine pruning. The permit applies once cutting would remove more than 30 percent of a tree 5 inches or larger, which is closer to a heavy reduction than a trim.
Around Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill tree on your mind?
Call and describe it. We will look, tell you whether it counts against your three, and price the work before anything is cut.