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Committee discusses revising tree ordinance as emerald ash borer forces park removals
Summary
Staff said the borough will propose changes to an unworkable tree ordinance (which requires arborist consultation without enforcement), prioritize removal of many ash trees in parks because of emerald ash borer, and use a contractor to handle urgent removals near playgrounds.
Committee members discussed trees and potential ordinance changes after the sustainability update. Will Williams told the committee that, following staff reshuffling, he now handles tree work and that sections of the current tree ordinance are unworkable: the code requires property owners to consult the borough’s consulting arborist before removing private trees but lacks any enforcement mechanism and effectively subsidizes consulting for private property owners.
Williams said the borough will present draft ordinance changes in early summer that aim to address those unworkable provisions. He also reported a backlog of condemned street trees (about 20) that property owners must remove; the borough reimburses half the removal cost and maintains a list of pre‑approved contractors.
On parks, Williams said the borough is removing a large number of ash trees in Hoops Park because treatments are no longer keeping pace with the invasive emerald ash borer and several affected trees are close to playgrounds and fields. He said Tremendous will handle prioritized removals and that the borough is continuing its street‑tree planting program, noting about 90–96 trees planted this spring.
Committee members asked whether private property owners must use approved contractors (they do not) and expressed support for staff returning with proposed ordinance revisions and clearer operational guidance.
