Emporium nearing 20 years as 'Tree City USA'
By James Moate Endeavor News

Emporium Borough and its employees have been critical in the Shade Tree Commission's success over the years, providing equipment and manpower for hole digging, tree cutting and other necessary maintenance. The photo above is from Jean Smith's archives, taken in the late 1980s when trees were planted next to the old library.

Emporium proudly boasts of itself as "Tree City," a title the borough has earned some 19 times since the Shade Tree Commission was established there in 1950.

It all started with a partnership between the commission and a utility to manage foliage growth in town while preserving a natural appearance. Since that time, the commission has made substantial visual improvements to the community.

Tree City USA is not merely a nickname. To qualify, a community must meet four criteria:

• have a shade tree commission or department responsible for tree planting and maintenance;

• have an ordinance regulating the planting and care of trees on public property;

• spend at least $2.00 per capita on its tree program;

• hold a formal observance of Arbor Day.

Members of the local commission hope to keep Emporium's streak alive when they apply for 2007 certification in December.

Shade Tree Commission Chair Jean Smith said borough workers have been cooperative in assisting the commission in its mission to care for some 750 trees that line the sidewalks. This can involve pruning, mulching, watering and Former commission leaf removal. "Emporium Borough workers deserve a lot of credit," Smith said. "We are very fortunate to have so much cooperation and support."

Another major contributor, according to Smith, is the Emporium Foundation, which gives a "generous donation" each year. Funds are used to purchase trees, soil, tools, as well as stump removal and membership in the Arbor Day Foundation. chairman Don Hefright helped to link the Shade Tree Commission with the Emporium Foundation and the Arbor Day Foundation.

On 13 occasions, Emporium has qualified for the Tree City USA Growth Award, presented to communities that meet criteria for encouraging or increasing tree growth and maintenance, as well as educating the public about the value of trees.

Smith and the other commission members, Arch Robinson and Don Caton, are responsible for ordering trees for spring planting and obtaining bids for the removal of

trees which

have become oversized or decayed. They confer with John Sidelinger from the Pa. Bureau of Forestry on tree selection and maintenance.

Commission members feel a measure of satisfaction each spring as the flowering trees that line Fourth Street through the business section and other parts of the boro ugh

come to

life. Many of these trees were donated as memorials.

The Forestry Bureau offers help to anyone with questions about tree care or planting at (717) 787- 2703. Assistance is also available to communities interested in forming their own Shade Tree Commission or applying for designation as a Tree City.