WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange’s new tree protection ordinance may be facing one of its first major tests.

The City Council recently passed a local ordinance regulating tree cutting and replacement in West Orange. Among other things, the law requires residents – and developers – to obtain a permit from the township forester for each tree they cut down.

According to Joyce Rudin, board member of Our Green West Orange, that apparently was not the case at The Manor’s former location on Prospect Avenue.

Rudin, one of several candidates running for council in November, has been documenting the situation on the advocacy group’s website. On Aug. 21, she posted a photo of a number of tree stumps on the property, which is being renovated under new ownership – and the site is set to once again host weddings and other events. See also: Popular West Orange wedding venue could be revived after closing last year

Rudin said she was “shocked” to discover that trees had been removed from the Prospect Avenue driveway down to the main building and around the entire property.

“The trunks of decades-old trees that lined the employee parking lot on Prospect Avenue were cut down, leaving the trunks standing,” Rudin wrote. “Other trees had huge branches removed, causing the trees to become unbalanced and fall over.”

Rudin pointed out that the city’s new regulations include a maximum fine of $2,000 for each tree cut down without a permit – as well as a requirement to replace trees.

On August 27, Rudin released an update on the situation, reporting that city authorities had been contacted about the trees and the city forester had come to the property to document any possible losses.

The forester counted 247 tree stumps on the property, Rudin said.

Rudin pointed out that any tree removal company that performed the work could also be held liable.

“Any tree, whether dead or alive, requires a permit to be cut down and replaced,” Rudin added. “Any company that cuts down trees must have a license from the municipality.”

Patch reached out to West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney for more details on the situation and we received the following response:

“The various municipal departments involved with the 111 Prospect Avenue site are reviewing and responding to the issues related to the property in question. In particular, the municipal forester and the Department of Public Works have been on site. The zoning officer has contacted the property owner and requested updated plans. After reviewing the situation, the forester will determine appropriate remedial action. In the meantime, the legal department has advised the property owner that no further action should be taken on the property during the review. Any citations will ultimately be decided by the municipal court after ensuring due process.”

However, Rudin urged further action.

“The job of the municipal court is to determine guilt or innocence, not to determine whether to issue a summons as the mayor indicates,” she told Patch.