One of the most common misconceptions of fall planting is that it is too cold to plant in the late fall. In reality, fall planting is preferred in many areas because it gives seedlings more time to establish their root systems and acclimate to the warm weather in the spring and summer. Because trees go dormant in the winter, they require little to no care. Read more.

Douglasfir is a name that runs two names together and is not a typographical error. This, or hyphenation (Douglas-fir), is the botanical way of indicating the tree is not a true fir. In fact, it is in a class by itself with only four other species worldwide in the genus. This remarkable tree makes an ideal Christmas tree throughout the country, known especially for holding its needles all season. In its native range in western forests, it is a major commercial tree for lumber, poles, and other uses. Douglasfir grows at a moderate rate of about 1 foot per year in yards and parks, providing owners with a beautiful and interesting coniferous evergreen. More information and information on ordering this tree can be found here from the Arbor Day Foundation. More information about Douglasfir and ordering information can be found here from the Arbor Day Foundation.

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.

When cities plant trees, they do more than make the place look nice.  They also help cut energy use (by reducing the need for air conditioning), store carbon dioxide, trap airborne pollutants, and intercept rainfall.  Oh, and raise property prices:  As any real estate agent will tell you, "leafy neighborhoods" are more valuable than non-leafy ones.  Read more here.

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:

• Establish a responsible authority for the management of the Corporation’s urban forest;
• Establish and maintain the optimal amount of tree cover on public property in the Corporation;
• Maintain the Corporation’s trees in a healthy and non-hazardous condition through good arboricultural practices; and
• Establish and maintain diversity in appropriate tree species and age classes to provide a stable and sustainable urban forest.

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.  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.