Forked River is the heart of Lacey Township, and Lacey has a little bit of every Ocean County tree situation. The lagoon streets east of Route 9 get salt air and bay wind. The neighborhoods off Lacey Road heading west are tucked into pine and oak woods. Out past the Parkway it's Pinelands as far as you can see. If you've got a tree to deal with anywhere in that stretch, here's what's worth knowing.
Recent Tree Stress in Lacey
Spongy moth (formerly called gypsy moth). In 2022, the NJ Department of Agriculture's aerial survey found about 2,500 acres of heavy defoliation in Ocean County, mainly in Lacey and Manchester townships. Oaks are the moth's favorite. One bad year usually won't kill a healthy oak, but repeated defoliation plus drought can, and weakened oaks drop big dead limbs. If your oaks looked bare that summer and have thin crowns or dead tops now, have them checked.
Pine beetles. Pitch pine is the main pine in the Pinelands and the southern pine beetle's preferred host. Fast-browning pines near houses or roads should come down before they get brittle.
Storms on the lagoons. Bayside sections of Forked River take nor'easter winds and, in big events like Sandy, saltwater. Trees that sat in saltwater can decline slowly for a year or two afterward.
Lacey Township's Tree Permit Rules
Lacey updated its tree ordinance (Chapter 313) in 2024. Based on the published ordinance:
- A Tree Removal Permit from the zoning office is required for street trees 2.5" or more in diameter at breast height, and other trees 12" or more on your property.
- The ordinance lists a $75 application fee, but no fee for removing diseased or damaged trees.
- Hazard trees (dead, dying, diseased or infested, damaging a structure, or a safety threat) can be removed with no fee or replacement requirement.
- If your lot is in the Pinelands Area part of the township, the application may also need a certificate of filing from the Pinelands Commission.
- To claim an exemption from replacement planting, the ordinance asks for written justification that includes a statement from a licensed tree expert. That's one more reason to hire a properly licensed company.
Ordinances get amended, so check with Lacey's zoning office before work starts.
Tree Services in Forked River
- Tree removal: defoliated or dying oaks, dead pines, trees too close to the house
- Storm cleanup: emergency make-safe, downed trees, debris haul-off
- Trimming & pruning: removing deadwood from stressed oaks, clearance, wind thinning
- Stump grinding: so you can replant (and meet any replacement requirement)
Get a Free Quote in Forked River
Fill out Barron's short form: where you are, what the tree is doing, and how to reach you. We'll get it to a licensed, insured tree company that works in Lacey Township. They'll contact you for a free estimate. You don't owe anybody anything.
Get My Free Forked River Tree Quote →
Barron's tip: Ask your tree pro to note in writing if a tree is dead, diseased or hazardous. In Lacey that can be the difference between paying a fee or replanting and not having to.
Forked River Tree FAQ
Do I need a permit for a small tree? Under the 2024 ordinance, private trees under 12" DBH generally don't need one (street trees have a lower 2.5" threshold). Confirm with the township.
I'm in Lanoka Harbor. Does this apply to me? Lanoka Harbor is also part of Lacey Township, so the same township rules apply. Send in the form and we'll check whether one of our local pros covers your street.
My oak lost its leaves a couple years ago. Is it dead? Not necessarily. Oaks often refoliate. A licensed tree expert can check for dead tops and decline.
What does tree removal cost around here? See our Ocean County cost guide.