Shade Tree Commission
Shade Tree Commission
BLOOMSBURG SHADE TREE COMMISSION
The Town of Bloomsburg Town Council established the Shade Tree Commission in 1987.
Since then, the Commission has made it their mission to plant trees that add to the tree canopy and enhance the beauty of the Town of Bloomsburg. The Bloomsburg Shade Tree Commission has been recognized as a member of the Tree City USA Organization for the past 26 years.
Town Council bestowed upon the Commission the responsibility of providing permits, rules and regulations for annual plantings, maintenance, protection and removal of trees in the public right-of-way for public health, safety and welfare.
Streetside trees are part of the Town’s infrastructure. They reduce heat stress on asphalt and concrete, which slows down the need for replacement. These trees also intercept rain and storm water, reducing pressure on sewer systems and reducing soil erosion.
REGULATIONS TO KNOW
The Shade Tree Ordinance requires property owners to plant and maintain street trees in the right of way (Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances).
Property owners’ responsibilities include keeping their street trees healthy, removing sick or dead ones, and replacing any they remove with appropriate size and species. These regulations also apply during construction and sidewalk replacement.
Planting, pruning, removing or cutting a street tree requires a free permit, available at the Town Hall or below. A permit is required if trees will be affected by construction and if roots will be disturbed for pipe or sidewalk work. Once your application is received at Town Hall, Commission Members will make their determination at the next scheduled public meeting.
Street trees must be chosen from among the tree species approved for use as street trees in Bloomsburg. The list of trees approved for Downtown is more limited than the list for residential streets. (You can plant whatever tree you like in your yard.)
HELPFUL VIDEOS
PRINTABLE MATERIALS
- Shade Tree Permit Application (PDF)
- Shade Tree Ordinance (PDF)
- Approved List of Trees Suitable for Street Planting (PDF)
- Pruning Landscape Trees Brochure (PDF)
- Planting and After Care of Community Trees Brochure (PDF)
- A Guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects
- 5 Reasons to STOP Topping Trees (PDF)
- Tree Owner’s Manual (PDF)
- ANSI A300 Pruning (PDF)
USEFUL LINKS
- National Tree Benefit Calculator
- i-Tree Design
- Call 8-1-1 Before You Dig!
- Tree Care Tips
- PA Trees – The place to learn about Pennsylvania’s trees, how to care for them and tap into tree expertise across the Commonwealth
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
- PA DCNR Forestry
- Penn State Cooperative Extension
- Penn State Woody Ornamental Pest Guide
- Cornell Urban Horticulture Institute
- USDA Forest Service Urban Forestry
- Trees Are Good
- PA BIG Tree
CONTACT
Contact: Greg Ash
Phone: (570) 784-7123, ext. 116
Fax: (570) 784-1518
Shade Tree Commission Members
Sylvia Costa
Chair
Virginia Thorne
Member
Betsy Hancock
Member
Janine Penman
Member
VACANCY
Member Position
Shade Tree Commission Members
Virginia Thorne
Member
Betsy Hancock
Member
Sylvia Costa
Chair
Janine Penman
Member
Andrew Barton
Member
