Trees

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Harry Morningstar wants to ensure his town can see its parking lot through the trees. The trees should be planted in Rotary Parking Lot in a way that doesn't obstruct lights, Morningstar said, but he argued that the lot would benefit from more than the eight trees planned by the Waynesboro Borough Council. On Wednesday, Morningstar addressed both the council's street committee and then the council as a whole regarding a decision from the July 16 meeting. The council had approved the paving and walkway plans for the lot with "up to eight trees.

HAGERSTOWN -- The City of Hagerstown will seek a contractor to harvest about 240 tons of white pine trees from city-owned property near the Edgemont Reservoir. City Utilities Director Michael Spiker received permission to advertise for bids after he told the City Council during a work session Tuesday that the trees should be cut down because they are growing out of control. The trees are just south of Warner Hollow Road on about 4.5 acres of land near the southwest corner of the reservoir.

Now is a good time of the year for property owners to look closely at their trees. This includes the street trees along the property. With the leaves off most of the trees, you can inspect your trees for structural damage that might have occurred during the past year and not have been visible during the spring and summer. Under Pennsylvania law, it is a homeowners' duty to exercise care, good judgment, caution and foresight by inspecting trees regularly and recognizing situations that might cause trees or tree branches to break or fall.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- Trees that some people say create a visibility problem for motorists have placed the Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors on the cusp of a lengthy and costly legal process. The supervisors talked this week about how declaring eminent domain to take the land and cut down the trees is one of their few remaining options. Residents who say they can't see other vehicles at the intersection of Mentzer Gap Road and Hearthwood Drive said they support the board taking the land if negotiations fail.

The sixth annual Festival of Trees will showcase nearly 50 trees and wreaths in addition to a model train display, a gift shop, special events and holiday entertainment. This year's festival runs from Tuesday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 5, at Hager Hall, Conference and Events Center beside the Clarion Hotel on the Dual Highway in Hagerstown. Events planned during the festival include a senior social, a father-daughter dance, an intimate holiday tea for friends and family, activities for children and a tree, wreath and train display.

Ehrlich has been contracted to spray street trees in downtown Hagerstown to discourage starlings and crows from roosting, according to a press release from the City of Hagerstown's Department of Engineering & Code Administration. Spraying was scheduled to begin Thursday night and, weather permitting, will continue Monday, Nov. 17, Thursday, Nov. 20, Monday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 28, according to the release. Spraying will occur in the following areas: Franklin Street from Potomac to Jonathan streets Jonathan Street from Franklin Street two blocks to the north South Potomac Street from Public Square to the Washington County Free Library Franklin Street to the east one block The city will only spray trees that are in the public right of way, according to the release.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - On Monday, the Washington Township Supervisors and a Pa. 316 property owner inched closer to a compromise concerning trees that could be lost as homes are built on his farm. The proposed solution for Antietam Creek Estates would allow for discussions with individual property owners as building permits are issued. If those property owners feel they need to remove trees, they could be required to plant others on the affected ridgeline. The supervisors again delayed any approval decision on the 88-acre planned residential development so lawyers on both sides can negotiate the details of the agreement.

By VANDANA SINHA Staff Writer The summer drought has taken a toll on spring seedlings and young trees, according to local planters and foresters. They say fledgling trees are more susceptible to drought-related damage because their roots do not stretch into the groundwater. Jernigan Landscaping Owner Troy Jernigan, of Hagerstown, said he lost about 25 percent of the seedlings he planted early this year. Some nurseries said homeowners who correctly watered newly planted trees have tended to have better results.

INWOOD, W.Va. -- A Stephens City, Va., man was discovered dead after the Nissan Xterra he was driving on Interstate 81 went off the road and struck two trees, the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department said Sunday. Thomas Knight was declared dead at the scene, according to a news release from the sheriff's department. Deputy T.D. Heckman was dispatched at 2:22 a.m. to the southbound scene near the six-mile post, about one mile north of the Inwood exit of I-81, according to the news release.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - A proposed makeover for Memorial Park in Waynesboro includes health evaluations for the trees that were planted along the main walkway to honor World War II veterans. The assistance of Penn State University's forestry program will be sought, Borough Manager Lloyd Hamberger said. "Let's take a hard look to see if we can trim them, top them, save them. I know we can only get a few years out of them, but let's do it," Councilman Ronnie Martin said. Don McBride, president of the Memorial Park board, talked to the Waynesboro Borough Council on Wednesday about the future of the park.