Tree Removal in Stafford, NJ (Manahawkin)

Trees in Stafford

Stafford Township, the mainland gateway to Long Beach Island, covers everything from bayfront lagoon homes in Beach Haven West to the wooded streets of Ocean Acres, where houses were built among pitch pines and oaks. Wind off the bay, sandy soil and aging pines make removals, storm cleanup and stump grinding everyday jobs here.

Common removal jobs

Ocean Acres pines. Tall, thin pitch pines close to houses, often dead or leaning after storms. See the dead pine guide.
Lagoon lots in Beach Haven West. Small yards next to bulkheads mean sectional work or a crane.
Oaks over roofs in older Manahawkin neighborhoods.
Clearing for projects: additions, pools, sheds and driveways.

Stafford's tree permit rule

Stafford's Chapter 194, “Trees,” requires a permit before removing a street tree of 2.5 inches DBH or more, or a non-street tree of 6 inches DBH or more. Applications go to the Department of Community Development and Planning. The ordinance lists a $25 filing fee per building lot for new residential construction; ask what applies to a single tree at an existing home. Nuisance trees (dead, dying, diseased, damaging a structure, or a safety threat) can be removed with no fee or replacement. For homeowners, replacement generally applies only when more than three trees per acre come down within five years, or for a tree 33 inches DBH or larger, with $300 per tree as the payment alternative (Stafford Code Ch. 194). At 6 inches, most yard trees are covered, so check before you cut.

Hazard trees: keep documentation

If you're removing a tree because it's dead, dying or dangerous, take dated photos and ask the tree company or a licensed tree expert for a short written note on its condition. That documentation is what supports a nuisance or hazard exemption. For the strongest case, ask for the assessment from a NJ Licensed Tree Expert. Our hazard tree assessment guide explains what that involves and when it costs extra.

What it costs

The biggest price drivers are tree size, proximity to the house or wires, equipment access and cleanup. Published estimates for Toms River, to the north, put typical removals at roughly $500 to $2,300, averaging about $1,400 (HomeBlue). Factor in any replacement trees or payment the township requires. See the cost guide and the permit guide.

Before you hire

Ask for the company's NJ Licensed Tree Care Operator number (NJ Board of Tree Experts) and certificate of insurance, and confirm whether the quote includes hauling, stump grinding, the permit application and any replacement trees. In Ocean Acres, ask how the crew will handle tall pines near neighboring houses on the narrow wooded lots. More local details are on the Stafford page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in Stafford Township?

Stafford's Chapter 194 requires a permit for street trees of 2.5 inches DBH or more and other trees of 6 inches DBH or more. It lists a $25 filing fee per building lot for new residential construction, and nuisance trees (such as dead or dying trees) can be removed with no fee or replacement. Confirm with the township.

Do I have to replace a tree I remove in Stafford?

The ordinance can require replacement trees or a payment unless the tree qualifies for an exemption, such as a hazard tree. Ask the township or your tree company.

Which Stafford neighborhoods do you cover?

All of them, including Manahawkin, Ocean Acres, Beach Haven West, Cedar Run and Mayetta. Choose Stafford on the form.

Cost and permit guides

Last updated October 18, 2026. Prices and rules come from the cited sources and can change. They aren't quotes or legal advice. Free referral service, not a tree company. Your request goes to one independent local tree company, which may pay us for the referral.