The landscaping rules now apply only to new commercial developments in designated areas. The rules require trees be planted in parking lots, along bare-walled building fronts and around detention ponds and trash bins.

Although the rules mostly require planting, they also protect large, healthy trees, called "trophy trees," and they created a "scenic corridor" designation under which residents of especially scenic roads may petition to have trees along the road protected.

When the house is a multimillion-dollar mansion, an instant tree isn't enough. Only a "trophy tree" — a giant specimen weighing up to 35,000 pounds —will do. "If they put up a new, 40- to 50,000-square-foot mansion, they want it to blend in," said Chet Halka Jr., whose Halka Nurseries in Millstone Township, N.J., charges up to $60,000 for a single mature tree: $20,000 for the tree and $40,000 to plant it. His customers have included singer Mariah Carey, boxer Mike Tyson, actor Eddie Murphy and Rolling Stone Keith Richards.

The four-bedroom, three and a half-bath home includes about 3,900 square feet of living area and occupies a large lot (100 X 285 X 83 X 277) dotted with oaks — one of which is a trophy tree.