Remain vigilant with tree-cutting company

We're writing to make Allentown residents aware of what has been occurring around town and the residents' rights as property owners.

Last week, under contract to PSE&G, the tree service company, Asplundh, was in our neighborhood trimming trees near power lines. Much to our horror the crew was cutting C-shaped holes in the 40-foot oaks in our front yards.

We asked why they had not properly notified us. They had no answer. We asked to speak to the foreman in charge. There was none. We asked to see their permit. There was none. We asked to speak to the arborist advising them about proper cutting procedures. There was no such person.

We further told the crew that the trees had been trimmed by a certified arborist earlier this year - at no little expense - in order to help keep them healthy as they were showing early signs of the oak leaf blight disease and that it appeared that no one on the crew was taking any precautions to disinfect their equipment, thus endangering the health of any other tree they worked on. They could not tell us about precautionary measures they were taking.

We notified the Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission and were told that in order to work on any trees in the borough the crews must have in their possession permits signed by the commission's superintendent. Residents may ask to see these permits and, if one is not provided, tell the crew to immediately stop work.

Furthermore, the homeowner must be properly notified in advance and have signed a permission form, which the crew should also be able to show to anyone who challenges them. If no one is at home when Asplundh comes to ask permission, a hangtag should be left on the door for signatures.

Two days after stopping Asplundh from attacking our trees, four trucks were back on Probasco Drive working there. We can only assume that Asplundh and PSE&G know that by cutting through a neighborhood during the day, when most residents are at work, they will meet little resistance and once the damage is done, there is not much one can do to fix brutalized trees.

After being alerted to this situation the mayor, Allentown's lawyer, and the Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission worked quickly to get a cease-and-desist order in place. We intend to proceed with efforts to protect one of Allentown's great assets, its tree-lined streets. We urge borough residents to remain vigilant to such intrusions and to challenge any Asplundh crew working near their property.

Elizabeth Roselius

Allentown