Arborist Advice: Why Should You Prune Your Trees During the Dormant Season?
The
snow may still be falling, but your trees need care during every season.
Pruning during the dormant season when buds have yet to open and trees
are in hibernation, provides numerous benefits.
Read more about why you should prune your trees during the dormant
season.
Dawn Redwood: The long return
The
Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is a living
testimony to the surprises still found in nature. The tree was believed
to be extinct and only known as a fossil, until it was discovered in
China in the 1940s.
In 1928, Japanese scientists who specialized in plant fossils began studying cone and leaf fossils that looked a lot like the sequoia trees in California. But by 1941, they were convinced these trees were different than the ones in California, even though they shared strong similarities. Learn more about this living fossil, courtesy of the Arbor Day Foundation.
Poison hemlock, a growing problem
Poison
hemlock is an extremely toxic, fast-growing, and highly-invasive
biennial plant which resembles Queen Anne's Lace. It has become
naturalized across North America and has been positively identified in
Harpers Ferry. All parts of the plant are toxic, with the potential to
produce fatal neuromuscular dysfunction due to failure of the
respiratory muscles.
For photos and more information on identification, specific toxicity, and control methods of poison hemlock, please refer to the following online resources:
About those cages...
If you've wondered why there are cages on all the new street trees, it's so the deer won't rub off the bark.
Please don't remove the cages. The Tree Committee will remove them when the trunks are too wide for deer to rub against.
Thanks!
Trees and Shrubs - Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Since 70% of the park is forested, it is no surprise that a wide variety of tree and shrub species occur here. Read more here.
(At left: Common vegetation found along the Maryland Heights hiking trail. NPS photo.)
Hybrid Hazel Nut Project
Hazelnuts hold great promise for increasing the world’s sustainable food, feed, and energy supply. That’s why both researchers and members around the United States are working together to expand the potential of this hybrid crop. Learn more.
The objectives and authority of the Tree Committee are detailed in Codified Ordinance 1104, officially titled the Harpers Ferry Tree Conservation Ordinance. The Committee is responsible for the enforcement of the Ordinance, the provisions of which are enacted to:
The Harpers Ferry Tree Committee officially consists of eight members: five voting members, appointed by the Town Council; the Town's Maintenance Supervisor; one representative from the West Virginia Division of Forestry; and one representative from Potomac Edison (successor to the former Allegheny Power). Of the five voting members, one must also be a member of the Planning Commission. The four regular members are each appointed for two-year terms. In addition, the Mayor of the Corporation of Harpers Ferry is considered an agent of the Committee.
Through efforts of the Tree Committee, Harpers Ferry was first designated a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 2008. As part of the requirements to be recognized as such, a resolution approved by the Town Council the same year designated the fourth Friday of every April as Arbor Day in the Corporation of Harpers Ferry, although since 2009 each Arbor Day ceremony has been held on the fourth Saturday instead of Friday.
Meetings of the Tree Committee are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room at Harpers Ferry Town Hall.
SEAT 1: Christy Huddle, Vice-Chair (term ending 31 Dec 2022)
SEAT 2: Kevin Kosa (term ending 31 Dec 2022)
SEAT 3: Tyler Mayhew (term ending 31 Dec 2023)
SEAT 4: Guy Hammer (term ending 31 Dec 2023)
SEAT 5: Jim Jenkins, Planning Commission representative
Larry Waters, Town Maintenance Specialist (non-voting)
Matthew Cook, WV Division of Foresty representative (non-voting)
(vacant), Potomac Edison representative (non-voting)
“Plant a tree in your lifetime.” – Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind.
Harpers Ferry Tree Conservation Ordinance
10 June 2013
Harpers Ferry tree inventory data
Updated 29 Apr 2021
Corporation of
HARPERS FERRY
1000 W Washington St
PO Box 217
Harpers Ferry WV 25425
Telephone: 304-535-2206
TOWN HALL
BUSINESS HOURS
Monday to Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closed to the public on Fridays
TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Click in the dropdown list below to see Tree Committee meeting minutes for the selected date.
Older meeting minutes can be obtained from the Town Clerk.
TREE COMMITTEE FORMS AND PUBLICATIONS
Helping Trees Recover From Ice Storms