Southmont Borough Cultivates Greener Future

Southmont Borough is embarking on a multi-year initiative to significantly improve its tree canopy. Following a comprehensive street tree inventory conducted by Bartlett Tree Experts, the borough council is prioritizing the pruning of existing trees and the replacement of those that are dead. This effort aims to establish a robust tree canopy over the next three to four years.

The project is largely supported by a $50,000 grant awarded in January by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This funding facilitates not only the planting of new trees but also enables collaboration with landscape architect Barbara Hauge. Hauge, from UpStreet Architects and Thomas R Harley Architects, will coordinate volunteers and lead the "Tree Tenders Training Program" in partnership with Penn State Extension.

This training, scheduled for the fall, will equip local residents with the knowledge to identify tree health issues, effectively serving as amateur arborists. They will assist the borough by monitoring tree conditions. Additionally, the council plans to establish a shade tree commission, appointing three residents to manage the tree program with a dedicated budget.

Decisions on where to plant new trees will consider factors such as sidewalk width, available space between sidewalks and roadways, and the location of underground and above-ground utilities. Residents interested in volunteering for the shade tree commission or participating in the Tree Tenders Training are encouraged to contact the Southmont Borough office.