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Best protections for our city’s trees

This is the third article in a series related to the value of planting and caring for yard and street trees. And the city of Williamsport is here to help. Chad Eckert, the city's arborist and forester, offered advice and explains the city's services.

First, homeowners may need to be reminded that they actually own trees on their properties, which means that if a tree becomes a hazard or falls onto a neighbor's property, disposing of the tree is the financial responsibility of the property owner.

However, if a tree falls into the street, the city will clear the debris at no homeowner cost. The city also can help through its Hazardous Tree Program. If a property owner has first listed a tree with this program, the city provides cost-sharing for tree work, thus saving the homeowner from the heavy lift of full arborist costs.

Street trees -- which are trees planted between sidewalks and the street -- are actually the property of the public, but their maintenance is the responsibility of the property owners.

"These homeowners are in effect the stewards of our community forest", states the 1993 Shade Tree Commission's mandate.

To ensure proper maintenance of our city's trees, permits are required (visit the codes office at City Hall) for planting, pruning or removing street trees.

Pruning. Now here is a thorny issue. Many landscapers and homeowners take the easiest route which is pruning by topping a tree. Topping refers to cutting off the ends of branches and results in rounded, lollypop-shaped trees. However, topping tends to weaken the tree by cutting off new growth.

Also, it is important to ensure that the cambium layer beneath a tree's bark is not ripped when pruning since such scars allow disease to enter the tree. Painting or otherwise sealing cut limb stubs is not recommended, according to Eckert. City ordinances note that such practices are considered to be vandalism since they damage tree health and growth and can even result in dead trees.

Also, please require that arborists not use climbing spikes when pruning. Nails or screws placed in trees can definitely damage them. Before hiring an arborist for tree work, get agreement that the contractor will follow the guidelines above to best promote tree health.

All removed street trees are required to be replaced by homeowners within a year, in order to retain the highest number of trees in the city. Also, avoid planting invasive trees. A couple of the worst invasive trees are the Bradford pear and the tree of Heaven. Nursery experts will gladly offer alternatives that are native trees.

A city Shade Tree Commission (consisting of local residents) is responsible for overseeing the planting, pruning, removal and protection of street trees and trees in public parks, also. Residents can contact the Shade Tree Commission or city forester for further details.

Finally for a donation, another city program supports the planting of trees in memory of a loved one. Such trees are then planted as replacements for park trees which have died.

Trees gift us in numerous ways. Let's do our part to care for them.