Urban Forestry

Trees are major capital assets in America's cities and towns. Without trees, the city is a sterile landscape of concrete, brick, steel and asphalt. Picture our community without trees. Is it a place where you would want to live? Trees make communities livable for people, add beauty and create an environment beneficial to our mental health. Trees add natural character; provide us with color, flowers, beautiful shapes, forms and textures. They screen harsh scenery; filter air pollutants; save energy; and reduce noise, stormwater runoff and the heat island effect. LCCD is available to offer municipalities assistance in urban forestry issues, including developing shade tree ordinances, starting a Shade Tree Commission, and finding funding to plant and maintain street trees. We can also assist homeowners and municipalities with selecting the right tree for the right location, minimizing conflicts with power  and sewer lines as the tree matures. For more detailed information regarding tree planting and maintenance, check out the related links on the right sidebar to sites such as: TreeVitalize, PATrees, PA Community Forests Program and the Arbor Day Foundation!

Tree Vitalize Program

The Lebanon County Conservation District is a Metro Partner for DCNR, assisting local municipalities in obtaining trees for urban planting via grant monies. There are two grant rounds in 2010 - February 1st and July 1st. An application form and more information about the TreeVitalize Program can be found at the TreeVitalize links to the right.

LCCD will be accepting TreeVitalize Grant Applications. Deadline for round two submission is July 1, 2010.

Revised Application 2-1-2010
Community Final Payment Request Forms
TreeVitalize MetroPartner Closeout Instructions

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

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Of special concern here in Pennsylvania is the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. This non-native insect continues to severely damage our state tree. The white cottony sacs on the underside of the branches are good evidence of an infestation. These sacs resemble the tips of cotton swabs and are present throughout the year. The hemlock woolly adelgid feeds during all seasons with the greatest damage occurring in the spring. The insects suck the sap from young twigs, inhibiting growth and causing the needles to discolor to a grayish green and to drop prematurely. To control this pest, apply Imidacloprid (active ingredient) in "Bayer Advanced Garden" to the soil in early spring. Insecticidal Soap or Dormant Oil are to be used on the foliage. Or contact your local pest control experts such as Ehrlich, Skyline Tree Service, or Bartlett.

Emerald Ash Borer

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Adults are slender emerald green beetles 7-13 mm (about half an inch).  Adults lay eggs in crevices on the bark trunk or branches.  Upon hatching, the larvae chew through the bark and into the cambium layer of the tree and feed on phloem and sapwood.  The D-shaped holes in the bark and the S-shaped feeding galleries found under the bark are sure signs you have a problem.  This insect attacks ash trees and can kill the tree. Important: If you believe you have Emerald Ash Borer, Contact the Bureau of Forestry at 717-948-3941. 

Asian Longhorn Beetle

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This black and white spotted beetle attacks maples, alders, birches, elms, poplars, willows, and horse chestnuts.  Each female can lay up to 160 eggs in crevices on the bark.  Beetles are ¾ to 1¼ long with distinctive black and white bands on each antenna.  Small 3/8” holes often have sap oozing from them.  These holes are made as the adults exit the tree.  An accumulation of coarse sawdust around the base of infested trees, where branches meet the main stem, is also a sign of the presence of the Asian Longhorn Beetle.  Important:  If you suspect you have an infestation of ALB, please collect an adult beetle in a jar, place the jar in the freezer, and immediately contact the Bureau of Forestry at 717-948-3941.

Mile-a-Minute Weed

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Leaves are light green in the shape of a triangle with barbs on the underside.  Stems are also armed with barbs and are reddish in color.  The fruit is a metallic blue and segmented.  This herbaceous vine grows rapidly, scrambling over existing plants.  Control: Contact and systemic herbicides are an effective control.  Note:  Because the leaves have a waxy covering, the herbicide must be mixed with a surfactant to help it adhere to the plant.  Spray in spring, before fruiting.

Kudzu

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A climbing perennial vine in the pea family.  Vines may extend 32-100 ft, with stems up to 4 inches in diameter.  Leaves are compound with 3 broad leaflets up to 4 inches across.  Leaves are alternate along the stem and leaves may be entire (no lobes) or lobed with hairy margins.  Control: For successful long-term control, the massive root system must be destroyed.  Any remaining root crowns can lead to reinfestation of an area.  Systemic herbicides are the most effective and practical method.

Garlic Mustard

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1-4 ft in height with light green leaves and clusters of small white flowers.  Each flower has 4 petals in the shape of a cross.  Fruits are slender, erect capsules that contain a row of shiny black seeds when mature.  Control:  Careful hand removal or cutting flowering plants low to the ground in spring to prevent seed production.  Seeds can survive in the soil for 5 or more years.  Several herbicides are also effective.