Two of the trees marked for removal in Riverfront Park, as part of a Front Street resurfacing project .
Harrisburg will replace trees cut down along Front Street as part of a state repaving project at a three-to-one ratio, beginning with the planting of 30 trees late this fall, city officials said Monday night.
Erik Josephson, who was hired as the city’s full-time arborist in May, said that the plantings will continue over the next three years and will help improve age and species diversity in Harrisburg’s tree population.
The plantings will also replace 16 trees that have either been removed or are scheduled to be removed as part of an extensive state repaving project along Front Street, which had previously prompted concerns from residents who wanted to preserve the landscaping of the historic river walk and ensure the public had a say in the project.
The initial planting is expected to take place in November and will include swamp white oaks, yellowwoods, serviceberries and American elm hybrids, Josephson said.
The city recommended those four species to property owners on the east side of Front Street, whose permission the city needs for the plantings. Josephson said six owners had already given their blessing to the planting of new trees on their property. No permission is needed for the west side of the street, which is occupied by the city-owned Riverfront Park.
Josephson, Mayor Eric Papenfuse and city engineer Wayne Martin fielded questions from a crowd of around 30 that had gathered on the second floor of the Civic Club downtown for a public forum on the replanting plans.
Among the topics of discussion were city rules on tree removal, which require residents to obtain a $5 permit before removing trees or trimming branches larger than two inches in diameter.
The officials also said the city is looking to revisit its shade tree ordinance, to hire additional tree-tending staff and to improve the tree canopy citywide by removing dead trees and adding new ones to increase its total tree cover from under 30 percent to a recommended 40 percent.
Papenfuse said he will seek funding in next year’s budget for additional help for Josephson, noting that there are city employees trained to trim and remove trees but that they are frequently overwhelmed with other public works needs.
Representatives of the city’s environmental advisory council also announced a series of meetings this fall to discuss both trees and broader goals to “green the city.” They are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sept. 15, 23 and 28 and Oct. 8.
