Shade Tree Commission

Shade Tree News

The West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission has been awarded a grant from the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (LHVA). Thanks to this grant, the West Wyoming Borough’s TreeVitalize Project will be part of an overall effort to increase the tree canopy cover in the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Metropolitan Region.

With funding from this grant the West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission, with help from volunteers, will plant trees throughout the borough continuing the organizations goal of increasing the tree canopy. In 2006, the West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission conducted its first borough wide tree-planting project, planting dozens of trees. Additional trees were planted by the shade tree commission in Spring 2008. The Shade Tree Commission also collaborated with the Abrahams Creek Watershed Association to plant 40 trees in flood prone areas of the borough in November 2008.

“West Wyoming is excited about this opportunity to increase the tree cover in the borough. Our municipality experiences significant street flooding during rain events, increasing our tree cover will help mitigate the effects of the storm water runoff,” says Eileen Cipriani, West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission member.

The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority has supported this project in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the National Park Service.

West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission Awarded Grant

The West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission has recently completed another successful tree-planting project in the borough. The borough was awarded a grant from the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (LHVA) for $2000 to make this project possible. Thanks to this grant, the West Wyoming Borough’s TreeVitalize Project was be part of an overall effort to increase the tree canopy cover in the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Metropolitan Region.

With funding from this grant, the West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission, with help from students from the Wyoming Area Secondary Center Ecology Class, their instructor Mrs Molly Kearns, Certified Municipal Arborist Mary Pat Appel, Council members Eileen Cipriani, Gil Atherholt, Dan Gadomski, the borough DPW workers, and resident volunteers planted 36 trees through the borough. Since the inception of the West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission 176 trees have been planted in the borough.

If you would like to participate in this program and have a tree or trees planted on your tree lawn at no cost, please call the West Wyoming Borough office and request a form 693-1311.

Photos are student volunteers from WA

West Wyoming Named a Tree City USA

West Wyoming Borough was recently named a Tree City USA by Andy Duncan from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Tree City USA® program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns across the country just like West Wyoming. Mary Pat Appel a Certified Arborist heads West Wyoming's Shade Tree program, along with Council members Eileen Cipriani and Dan Gadomski. Mayor Joe Herbert is also an active participant assisting in planting trees throughout town. The Shade Tree Commission have been active and very successful in pursuing grant funding for trees throughout town. This fall the Shade Tree Commission will once again offer trees to residents of the borough for planting on their tree lawn. If you are interested in having a tree placed on your tree lawn call the borough hall at 693-1311.

WEST WYOMING NAMED A TREE CITY USA

West Wyoming Borough was recently named a Tree City USA. Pictured from left, Mary Pat Appel, Council Member Dan Grescavage, Council Chairperson Eileen Cipriani, Council Member Gary Stavish and Andy Duncan DCNR. Second Row Solicitor Linell Lukesh, Council Members Gil Atherholt, Dan Gadomski, Mayor Joe Herbert, Council Members Len Taretto and Geno Leoni.

Click on Picture for larger photo.

The West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission

The mission of the West Wyoming Shade Tree Commission is to preserve and maintain as many trees as possible within the borough limits of West Wyoming. This is accomplished by:

-Reducing tree loss due to development

-Reducing damage to standing trees during construction

-Providing for planting trees where none occurred previously

-Providing for the maintenance of preserved trees after construction is completed

-Maintaining the health of trees in our parks, right of ways and urban areas

-Increasing public education and support for urban forestry

-Generating funds to support urban forestry.

Shade Tree Commission Permit

Permit fee is $100. This fee is refundable upon replacement of a removed tree within 12 months. Fee is also refundable if pruned trees are not "topped" or pruned with heading cuts.

The fine not getting a permit or improper pruning is $300.

The following conditions must be adhered to:

Removal to be done by borough licensed men, skilled in such work, abiding by the rules of the Commission and Shade Tree Ordinance 4 of 2006.
Owners to be responsible for all damage to property or persons resulting from the work and to provide, when necessary ropes or guards to protect the public.
Large limbs should be cut off. All logs, brush and refuse to be removed immeditately.
To prevent hazards, pruning should meet American national Standards Institute standards for tree pruning. Hiring an ISA certified arborist is recommended but not required.
All work to be done to the satisfaction of the Commission's inspector. Failure or neglect to comply with this permit will cause this commission to proceed with penalties contained in Ordinance 4 of 2006 whcih is a $300 fine.

Download Tree Commission Permit in MS Word Format

26 Trees Planted to aid in Flood Protection November 3, 2008 (Camille Fiotti, Times Leader Correspondent)

Wyoming Area Students place foliage in West Wyoming to reduce storm water run-off.

Students from Wyoming Area High School devoted a good part of Sunday afternoon planting trees in a flood-prone section of the borough. Alongside council members Daniel Gadomski and Eileen Cipriani, the ecology-minded students planted 26 trees around the edge of a wetlands area behind the Sixth Street Little League field. (Read entire Times Leader Article)


Boy Scouts helping plant trees in 2006	Girls doing the work in 2008