Thank You Shade Tree Commission!

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the USA, the Chester Borough Shade Tree Commission (STC) spearheaded the planting of five American Elm trees, each representing 50 years since the Declaration of Independence at Grove Street Park. These trees are known as the Princeton Elm, and are resistant to the Dutch Elm Disease. When fully grown, the trees will be 50-60 feet tall with a spread of 40-60 feet. We thank the STC for such a significant and thoughtful planting.
 
Since its inception in 1985, the STC has managed the Borough trees in the parks and the utility right of ways. During the height of the Emerald Ash Borer, the STC requested and was granted additional funding in the budget to remove dead or dying ash trees. The STC also coordinates with JCP&L to determine if trees are eligible for removal by the utility due to the power lines around it. Older large maple trees have been removed along with many diseased maple trees that were planted in the 1970s and ‘80s. The Commission efforts to not only remove but also plant trees has earned Chester Borough the distinction of being named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation every year since 1985.
 
In the last several years the STC also has planted various specimen trees in the parks and right of ways including cherry, linden, dogwood and magnolia trees in Grove Street Park and London plane trees at Municipal Field. Trees have also been replaced in residential right of ways, if the homeowner so desired after the removal of a diseased or dead tree.
 
To determine if a tree is a Borough Shade Tree, the tree must be in the utility or ROW easement as noted on a property survey. For more information regarding the STC, visit their page.
 
Thank you, STC!