If you’d like to plant a street or park tree, the Shade Tree Commission offers residents the opportunity to get a nice sized one at less than half the retail price. These are large trees, approximately 10 feet tall, 1 ˝ to 2 inches in diameter at the base. Through a DCNR TreeVitalize grant, the cost is only $50 each, but trees must be planted on public property or within the public right-of-way. Applications are available at Borough Hall or can be downloaded and printed here TreeVitalize Planting Application (pdf) online. Deadlines are March 1 for Spring planting and September 1 for Fall planting, with delivery expected during the second or third week of April and October respectively.

The trees will be lifted from the nursery bare-root; that is, without a container or ball of soil. The roots are dipped in a gel solution at the nursery to keep them moist, and bagged in large plastic bags for delivery. They are lightweight and easy to handle, but must be planted within one week of delivery. In general, larger maturing shade trees provide maximum benefits, and are recommended for planting wherever space permits. However, species will be offered to accommodate various planting site limitations. The width of the planting strip must be considered, as well as the presence of overhead wires or other obstructions, the locations of underground utilities, fire hydrants, and intersections.

This offer is made possible through a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, TreeVitalize Program, which provides funding to increase tree canopy cover in the metropolitan areas of the state. The Shade Tree Commission will be available to assist in selecting a suitable tree for each site, to provide planting instructions, and to oversee the planting project. However, residents will be largely responsible for planting the tree themselves. Anyone physically unable to do the work but interested in purchasing one is encouraged to apply. Volunteer assistance will be sought to assist those needing help.

Camp Hill prides itself on its beautiful tree-lined streets. An inventory completed in 1997 tallied a total of 1,792 street trees within the Borough. Unfortunately, over the last 12 years, approximately 300 trees (17% of the total) have been removed and not replaced! Trees enhance the quality of life in any community, but they also provide invaluable ecological, economic, and social services to our lives. They conserve energy by shading buildings and paved surfaces, they filter airborne pollutants, remove atmospheric carbon dioxide, reduce stormwater runoff, and increase the value of our homes. In addition, there is mounting evidence that trees help calm traffic, reduce crime, and increase business.

A handy tool available at http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator actually quantifies the dollar value of the benefits provided by a single tree of a given size and species. Developed through extensive urban forestry research, the Tree Benefits Calculator estimates, for example, that a single 16” red maple will intercept 1,900 gallons of stormwater and absorb 462 pounds of carbon each year. According to the USDA Forest Service Center for Urban Forestry Research for every $1 spent in planting and maintenance costs over the life of a tree, nearly $2 in environmental services and increased property values results.

Join the Shade Tree Commission in sustaining Camp Hill’s shade trees! Consider purchasing a tree through this limited offer.

Download the Treevitalize Poster (pdf)