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Shade Tree Commission seeks updated tree inventory, board proclaims county climber
Summary
Dan Bush briefed commissioners on tree‑inventory and emerald ash borer risks and proposed Arboretum 'Grove of 13'; the board approved a proclamation honoring tree climber Jonathan Houghton.
Dan Bush, Department of Public Works and secretary to the Hunterdon County Shade Tree Commission, presented the commission’s year‑in‑review and asked the board to support a capital project to update the county’s high‑risk tree inventory and forestry management plan.
Bush said the county’s last inventory was completed in 2019 and identified more than 6,000 high‑risk trees; only about 33 of those had been addressed. He said the emerald ash borer has increased urgency for an updated inventory and that the state will not approve a community forestry management plan without current high‑risk data. Bush described recent Arbor Day work (34 trees donated to schools), tree‑crew activity after Tropical Storm Ida and a proposed 2026 Arboretum project, the “Grove of 13,” to replace trees removed in prior removals.
After the presentation commissioners moved and approved a proclamation recognizing Jonathan Houghton for earning the title New Jersey State Tree Climbing Champion and qualifying for the 2025 International Tree Climbing Championship. Houghton spoke briefly about his international competition experience and family travel.
Bush requested county approval to proceed with planning and capital requests to secure grant funding for inventory and ash‑borer response work.
