Sign-ups are still open for Nov. 14th and the 15th for the township’s Branching Out Tree Initiative, aimed to help plant trees and grow a greener future for the community.
“Branching Out is a unique initiative that will improve our environment, enhance existing green spaces and give residents the opportunity to plant roots for the future,” said Mayor Dave Fleisher. “I am pleased to be able to deliver for our community a greener Cherry Hill.”
Branching Out is funded through the township’s innovative Tree Ordinance and Tree Fund (the latter was established in 2022 after the ordinance was passed that same year). The ordinance establishes a policy and permit process for tree removal by both residents and commercial developers. Commercial entities are required to pay a permit fee to remove trees or replace them when doing projects, which is then deposited into the tree fund. It’s those permit monies that have allowed the township to purchase and plant over 900 trees since fall 2024. This comprehensive effort incorporates the township planting trees and engages volunteers in helping to support tree planting on public lands, as well as donations of trees to residents to plant in their own yards. The township historically provides trees in the spring for residents to plant on their own properties. In 2025 the township gave out 100 trees followed by 200 in 2026, which homeowners planted in their front yards to help improve shade on municipal sidewalks. And during the spring and fall, the township, along with volunteers, planted trees on township land.
“We passed the tree ordinance to hold developers accountable, protect our trees and help to create a greener Cherry Hill,” said Councilwoman Jen Apell.
After the Tree Fund was established, the township began using funds to add trees to municipal lands to improve its tree canopy, Cherry Hill Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Recreation Megan Brown explained. The township conducts its tree plantings twice a year during the most suitable planting times – spring and fall. In addition to utilizing the township’s Department of Public Works team to plant, council wanted to engage CHEB members to do additional plantings as well during the spring and fall seasons. With the support of a volunteer base, council can accomplish three things for the township with Branching Out: they can multiply manpower efforts to plant more trees each season; hosting the community tree plantings helps to plant trees over multiple locations and dates; and council can engage with the community to be part of this overall effort.
Locations for the fall Branching Out Tree Initiative included the Old Orchard and Ridings of Fox Run neighborhoods; Surrey Place East Open Space; the White Trail at Bunker Hill Trails; and Chestnut Terrace Open Space. Council chose planting locations based on several goals: replacing damaged or dead trees in Cherry Hill’s playgrounds and recreational facilities; expanding already forested areas and/or joining two forested areas together; and adding trees to areas identified as having a low tree canopy score.
“Making Cherry Hill greener provides many benefits by keeping our air clean, helping to reduce stormwater runoff and by keeping us cool,” Brown said. “Volunteers are the backbone of our community. Engaging our residents to help protect and improve our open spaces is a win for everyone.”
The Nov. 14th and 15th tree planting events will be held at the White Trail at Bunker Hill Trails and Chestnut Terrace Open Space from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers can sign up at www.chnj.gov/Activities/Activity/Detail/COMMUNITY-TREE-PLANTINGS-Fall-2026-49.
Cherry Hill’s Bunker Hill Trails features woodland, wetland and meadow and consists of six trails – yellow (pictured above), blue, green, red, purple and white. The White Trail was one of several selected locations for the township’s fall Branching Out Tree Initiative.
