Morris County nursery plants new roots for future growth
More Than 200 Saplings Will Support Community Forestry
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ – Neatly planted rows of oak, maple and dogwood saplings are thriving in a Morris County-owned tree nursery, where more than 200 young trees will be grown to support community forestry along county roadways and properties.
The Morris County Shade Tree Division, which manages the nursery, aims to maintain a stock of at least 50 trees each year to replace dead or diseased specimens, particularly ash trees ravaged over the past decade and more by the emerald ash borer, according to Division Director Kris McMorland.
“When we remove trees, we like to put something back. Having our own nursery gives us a variety trees, from oaks and maples to redbuds and dogwoods, so we can replant the right species depending on the site,” said McMorland. “With the trees on hand, we have more control over what we’re planting.”
“Our tree nursery reflects Morris County’s commitment to both fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship. By cultivating our own stock of trees, we are reducing costs while restoring native vegetation that has been ravaged by invasive species, enhancing our community forestry efforts and advancing long-term sustainability initiatives across the county,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, liaison to the Morris County Shade Tree Division.
Starting trees as year-old “whips” also brings significant cost savings. A bare-root whip costs about $1, compared with $300 to $500 for a 3- to 4-year-old tree. These saplings also allow the division to incorporate new research from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
“We get the young trees at a relatively inexpensive price and raise them ourselves. Research shows that planting small trees in clusters, especially with hickories, is a more natural approach and tends to yield excellent results,” said McMorland.
The nursery, which is not open to the public, is located in a county-owned field adjacent to other county government operations in Parsippany-Troy Hills. In addition to managing the nursery, the Shade Tree Division oversees community forestry along county roadways and properties, provides guidance to residents and supplies educational materials upon request.
Visit the county website for information on tree care, pest management and forestry organizations, and to submit service requests for tree-related issues on county roads.
