Tree Removal & Stump Grinding in Spring Lake, NJ

Spring Lake is the Monmouth County shore borough just north of Sea Girt, known for its two-mile boardwalk, the lake and Divine Park in the middle of town, and big Victorian and shingle-style homes on wide, tree-lined streets. Mature oaks, London planes, maples and shore pines shade most blocks, and many of the biggest trees sit in the strip between the sidewalk and the curb, so tree work here means careful climbing and rigging over slate roofs, porches, fences and wires. Tell us about your job and we'll pass it to one local, independent tree company that serves Spring Lake.

Tree services you can request in Spring Lake

Tree permits in Spring Lake

Spring Lake regulates trees under Spring Lake Borough Code, Ch. 356 (Trees), last amended in 2024 by Ord. No. 2024-003. As posted when we checked on October 30, 2026, there are two different rules:

Right-of-way trees (between the sidewalk and the curb): you need a tree removal permit to cut down any ornamental tree 3 inches or more across (measured 4 feet up) or any other tree 6 inches or more (measured 4.5 feet up). The fee is $75, you tie a yellow ribbon from the borough around each tree for inspection, and the Code Enforcement Officer has 15 business days to respond. Proper removal includes taking out the whole stump.
Replacement: for a healthy right-of-way tree, expect to replant the same number of trees at the address (from the borough's approved street-tree list, planted Oct 1 to Dec 31 or Mar 1 to May 31) or pay into the Tree Replacement Fund. If the right-of-way tree is dead, diseased, injured or in danger of falling, the code says the borough removes it at its own expense, so report it to Code Enforcement first.
Trees on your own lot: the code says it does not restrict removing trees on your own property when no building permit for a new or replacement house is needed. The exception is new construction, vacant lots and teardowns: then a tree removal project permit is needed for any tree 4 inches or more at 54 inches, with a site plan and replacement plan, and trees cut within a year before a building permit application still count. That project permit costs $75, and each tree removed is replaced with 1 to 5 new trees or a payment of $500 to $2,500 per tree to the Tree Replacement Fund (dead and diseased trees don't count), plus up to $250 if the borough's Licensed Tree Expert reviews it.

Damaging trees, piling soil within 5 feet of a trunk, or storing materials within 10 feet of one is also banned. If the tree is anywhere near the curb, or you're planning to build, check with Spring Lake Code Enforcement before anyone cuts.

Local notes for Spring Lake

Who owns the tree: the big shade trees in the curb strip are right-of-way trees, so they need a borough permit even though they're in front of your house. A dead or failing one may be the borough's job, not yours.
Old homes, tight clearances: slate and cedar roofs, wraparound porches and overhead wires mean most removals are climbed and lowered in pieces; tell the pro about the roof and the drop zone (tree removal, trimming).
Salt and wind: blocks east of Ocean Avenue take salt spray and nor'easter wind, so browning pines aren't always dead (salt damage, nor'easter tree damage).
Oaks and ash: spongy moth and emerald ash borer reach the Monmouth shore too (spongy moth guide, emerald ash borer guide).
Neighbors: Sea Girt, Belmar, Manasquan and Wall Township.

Before you hire

New Jersey requires tree care businesses to be licensed through the NJ Board of Tree Experts. Ask for the company's Licensed Tree Care Operator number and certificate of insurance. For stump grinding, the free 811 utility markout is required before digging (NJ One Call).

Storm damage or a tree on a wire?

If there is immediate danger, call 911. Stay away from downed lines and report them to your electric utility (JCP&L, 1-888-544-4877, also serves this part of Monmouth County). Then see what to do after a storm and what insurance usually covers.