In order to maximize the economic, environmental, and social benefits provided by our urban forest, it’s important to keep our trees healthy and maintain a diversity of tree species and ages. Therefore, we should routinely plant new trees to replace those that are lost to age, diseases, insect pests, storm damage, and drought.
When selecting your new trees, it’s important to consider their mature size. Each tree species and variety will have certain size and shape characteristics and they must be given enough space to grow and thrive in your yard. Your trees should also be properly planted where site conditions closely match the tree’s environmental requirements for space, light, water, nutrients, and soil pH.
Ensuring the long-term health of your trees begins with using proper planting practices. Think of your shade trees as lifetime investments that require a lifetime of care.
For an excellent tutorial on how to plant your new tree, please download the following ISA brochure: New Tree Planting
For more detailed information on selecting quality nursery stock, site preparation, and planting and long-term care of your trees, please download the following book published by Penn State Extension: Planting and After Care of Community Trees
Remember:
- Before digging occurs on your property, you must call Pennsylvania One Call System (811) so they can mark the location of utilities.
- You may not remove a live tree in the Township right-of-way without a permit and permission from the Shade Tree Advisory Board.
- You must get a permit and replace any shade tree that has died in the Township right-of-way or in a planting easement on your property.
- Only those types of trees listed on the approved Shade Tree List may be used to replace an existing shade tree.
The International Society of Arboriculture has developed a series of tree care brochures that can be downloaded for free from the Tree Care Information page on their Trees are Good website.