A tree that has stood in Maplewood since before the United States became a nation has been spared from removal—for now.
The 271-year-old London plane tree, believed to have begun growing around 1755, was facing removal to make way for a new home on Pierson Road. The proposal sparked strong community opposition, with more than 1,700 residents signing a petition urging local officials to protect one of New Jersey’s oldest trees.
After reviewing the application, Maplewood’s Sustainable Maplewood Committee voted to deny the request to remove the tree, allowing it to remain standing while the dispute continues.
According to the township’s arborist, the tree is healthy and remains one of the largest and most historically significant of its kind in New Jersey. Its age means it predates the Declaration of Independence by more than two decades, earning it the nickname “the tree older than America.”
Supporters argued that a tree with such historical and environmental value should not be sacrificed for a single residential development. Many residents suggested that the proposed home could be redesigned to preserve the landmark.
The battle, however, is not over. The developer’s attorney has indicated that the decision may be challenged, meaning the future of the centuries-old tree could ultimately be decided through further legal proceedings.
For now, the towering London plane tree remains rooted in Maplewood—a living witness to more than two and a half centuries of New Jersey history.
Sources:
Village Green of Maplewood
Patch (Eric Kiefer) X post by Eric Kiefer (@EK_Patch)