Stafford Township covers a lot of ground, and the trees change a lot from one end to the other. Ocean Acres is basically houses built into the pine woods: pitch pine and oak on sandy lots, some of them pretty dense. Out east, the lagoon neighborhoods of Beach Haven West sit low against the bay, with smaller yards, salt air, and trees that have been through a lot. A tree pro who works Stafford regularly will treat those two jobs very differently.
Stafford's Tree Ordinance (Worth Knowing Before You Call Anyone)
Stafford rewrote its tree ordinance (Chapter 194) in 2023. Here's what the published code says at the time of writing. Please confirm with the township, since rules get amended:
- A tree removal permit application goes through the Department of Community Development and Planning for street trees of 2.5 inches or more in trunk diameter (measured at 4.5 feet up), and for other trees on your property of 6 inches or more.
- For homeowners, replacement planting is generally triggered if you remove more than three trees per acre in the smaller size classes within five years, or any one very large tree (33" or more). Replacement trees have to come from the Rutgers list of trees native to Ocean County.
- "Nuisance" trees (dead or dying, diseased or infested, damaging a structure, or a safety threat) can be removed with no fee and no replacement requirement.
- The listed penalty for violations is $500 per tree, plus the cost of replacement trees.
Bottom line: a dead pine leaning at your house is treated very differently from clearing healthy trees for a new patio. Check with Stafford Township first, and keep photos of any dead or damaged tree you remove.
Local Things That Take Trees Down in Stafford
Sandy and saltwater. Stafford had roughly 4,600 homes in the flood zone during Sandy and about 1,250 were substantially damaged, with Beach Haven West among the hardest hit. Saltwater flooding is rough on tree roots, and damage doesn't always show right away. Trees can decline for a year or more after a big surge. If you've got a tree that never quite came back after a flood, have it looked at.
Wind on wooded lots. In Ocean Acres and other wooded sections, clearing for a house or addition leaves the remaining tall pines more exposed. Sandy soil doesn't give them much grip in a soaking nor'easter.
Pine bark beetles. Southern pine beetle has killed pitch pines in Ocean County in recent years, including in the Manahawkin section of Stafford. Fast-browning needles mean it's time to call someone.
Services Available in Stafford
- Tree removal: wooded lots, tight lagoon yards, trees over roofs and fences
- Storm cleanup: emergency make-safe and debris cleanup after storms
- Trimming & pruning: thinning for wind, deadwood out, clearance over the house and driveway
- Stump grinding: grind it below grade so you can replant (handy if you owe a replacement tree)
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Stafford Township Tree FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Stafford? Dead and dying trees fall under the "nuisance" category, which the code says carries no fee or replacement requirement. Call Community Development to confirm whether they want an application or notice on file.
Do I have to plant a new tree if I take one down? Sometimes. It depends on how many trees, how big, and why. The township can tell you for your specific lot.
Does Ocean Acres count as Stafford? Yes. Ocean Acres, Beach Haven West and Manahawkin are all in Stafford Township.
Is the tree company licensed? Ask. New Jersey requires tree care businesses to register with the NJ Board of Tree Experts and employ a licensed tree expert or tree care operator.