Earlier this year the Borough announced the receipt of a special gift of $150,000 from the estate of James Pilligalli for the purpose of planting street trees in West Chester. Since making this announcement, the response from residents and property owners to participate in the program has been immensely successful. A total of 462 properties have been identified and the number of potential tree planting sites has totaled 621.

The Borough staff is currently investigating each individual location request to determine its suitability as a tree planting location. We are identifying underground utility conflicts, checking for overhead power lines, and evaluating site conditions such as concrete sidewalks or existing stumps that may cause difficulty in providing a suitable location. The Borough's Urban Forester will be contacting residents with the results of the investigation. The tree locations must be planting ready. Residents should have all stumps removed and sidewalks cut. The Borough will remove the bricks from sidewalks. The fund is expected to afford the purchase and planting of approximately 400 trees in total, so there are many candidate sites that may not qualify for the trees.

The Borough expects the evaluation and selection process to continue through late 2009. We will then confirm the final selections with participating residents, choose tree species, and then conduct the bid process and select a contractor in January 2010. The objective is to perform all tree plantings as early as March 2010 and conclude the work by May 2010.

West Chester
Tree Planting Program Requirements

Homeowners are responsible for watering the tree once a week and more frequently during dry spells. Orders for spring plantings should be placed by Mid-March and fall plantings by Mid-August. The earlier you place your order, the sooner the Borough can plant your tree and the better selections you will have from the nursery.

If you have a concrete sidewalk and want a tree planted, it is your responsibility to have the sidewalk cut for the tree. The ideal tree pit is 3x4 or 4x4. The Borough is not responsible for any trees that are vandalized or have died.

Trees Best for Street Planting

The following are a list of trees that are best for street planting.

1. Acer griseum-Paperbark Maple
2. Amelanchier x grandiflora-'Autumn Brillance'
3. Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata'-European Hornbeam
4. Carpinus caroliniana- American Hornbeam
5. Cercidiphyllum japonica-Katsura Tree
6. Cercis canadensis-Redbud Tree
7. Cornus kousa-Dogwood Tree
8. Ginkgo biloba-Maidenhair Tree
9. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis -Thornless Honey Locust
10. Halesia tetraptera -Carolina Silverbell
11. Ilex pedunculosa-Longstalk Holly
12. Magnolia species
13. Nyssa sylvatica-Black Gum
14. Ostrya virginiana-American Hophornbean-Ironwood
15. Oxydendrum arboreum-Sourwood Tree
16. Platanus x acerifolia -'Bloodgood'
17. Prunus-Cherry Species
18. Quercus-Oak Species
19. Stewartia pseudocamellia
20. Syringa reticulata- Japanese Tree Lilac
21. Tilia-Linden Species
22. Ulmus x accolade-Accolade Elm
23. Zelkova serrata-Japanese Zelkova

Mail application to: The Borough of West Chester, Dept.of Public Works, 205 Lacey St. W.C., Pa. 19382

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