By SAVANNAH BARR

s.barr@bradfordera.com

It’s an Arbor Day update that is beyond be-leaf! Since its start two years ago, the local Tree Board has planted 81 trees in Bradford. Just this year, they have already put 21 in the ground. With more planting planned for the fall, 2025 is proving to be a banner year for expanding the city’s green spaces and promoting environmental sustainability.

The board’s goal is to plant 200 trees, which are donated as part of a statewide initiative called Tree Pennsylvania, the goal of which is to increase shade spaces within the commonwealth.

‘All of our trees are shade trees — they’re all maples and oaks,’ said Ron Binder, board president.

Tree Pennsylvania compiles a list of trees native to the state that the board members can choose from.

‘It is important that these are native trees because we want to make sure that what we plant is sustainable,’ said Binder.

Board members work with a consultant from the Penn State Cooperative Extension Service, who helps them decide what tree to place and where to plant them.

‘If you want your trees to thrive you have to have different types left to plant them in certain places,’ said Binder. ‘For example, if a tree is going to be very close to a road or parking lot, it has to be salt resistant.’

The newly planted trees will grow to be Tree… page A-10

Bradford City Department of Public Works and the city Tree Board have been busy expanding the city’s green spaces.

Era file photo about 75 feet tall. It will take them roughly 20 years to reach maturity and their lifespan is around 100 years.

This year, the board has opened the program up to include those who wish to offset the cost of a tree. Several people have already joined in on the fun. The first person to buy a tree is an alumni of Floyd C. Fretz Middle School who no longer lives in the area, but had fond memories of growing up here.

The new trend seems to be taking off, as four more people have agreed to buy trees for the upcoming fall planting. The cost is $200 per tree. Donors can choose between oak and maple and help pick out where the tree ultimately lands.

The trees are planted by Pat Shannon and his crew at the city’s Department of Public Works. Graham’s Greenhouse has donated mulch, which is placed by members of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Rotaract Club. Tree Board members also attend plantings to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.

The Tree Board currently has three members. They are Binder, City Council member Fred Proper and Travis Crawford, Health Department and Property Maintenance officer for the city.

“The three of us meet a few times a year and anyone is welcome to come to our meetings,” said Binder. “Anyone who wants to become involved is welcome to contact me.”

Binder’s email is ronbinder@ yahoo.com.