Shade Tree Commission

Borough of Doylestown Shade Tree Commission AGENDA Tuesday, June 9, 2026 6:30 P.M. Please note that the credentials to log into the Borough’s Wi-Fi are: DTown Guest welcometodoylestown Full Meeting Packet: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/udw9ikkc151ssjs2nkafp/AE2lU7cWjMSY8EiuRFqUXMU?rlkey=tubf6ha82y 87bmmweelbgkdgm&dl=0 The regular meeting of the Shade Tree Commission was held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Doylestown Borough Hall, 10 Doyle Street. Commission members in attendance included Lisa Moscherosch, Kayvon Tabatabai, Chris May, Baldev Lamba, Jean Weston, and student member, Jimmy Cunning. Also present were Borough Arborist, Bob McMullin, and Grant Rowe, Sustainability Coordinator. Call to order: Lisa Moscherosch called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Approval of Minutes: The May 2026 minutes were approved as submitted. (WESTON/TABATABAI) Subdivision/Land Development: None Tree Applications: 1. 235 E. State Street, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Property Owner a. The homeowner was not in attendance. MOSCHEROSCH commented that the Holly tree should stay (not be removed) and MAY agreed. Following further discussion, the members of the Shade Tree Commission recommended approval of the Pine (which is actually a Spruce) and denial of the Holly. (MAY/WESTON) b. MAY added that the Holly can be treated to remove the ivy. To do so, he recommends a “cut- stem application” in which the ivy stem is cut near its base and treated as opposed to simply pulling the ivy off the tree which can be damaging. 2. 538 North Street, Richard & Lisa Crawford, Property Owner a. The homeowners were not in attendance. Following discussion, the members of the Shade Tree Commission recommended approval. (LAMBA/WESTON) 3. 47 Meadow Lane, Jason Wood, Property Owner a. The homeowner was in attendance and commented that he has tried to preserve the tree, but that it remains in decline. MAY commented that the location of the tree, which is a White Pine, is poor given the wet conditions of the ground. The homeowner added that he is open to replanting something else in his backyard. Following discussion, the members of the Shade Tree Commission recommended approval. (WESTON/MAY) 4. 490 North Street, Mohand Kadri, Property Owner a. The homeowner was in attendance and commented that the trees on the permit are to be removed either due to decline and/or to create more space in the backyard. Following discussion, the members of the Shade Tree Commission recommended approval. (WESTON/TABATABAI) 5. 299 Maple Avenue, Sara Webster, Property Owners a. The homeowner was not in attendance. MAY commented that in addition to the trees listed on the permit, the homeowner may want to consider removing the Beech tree on their property in the future as it is in decline. The members of the Shade Tree Commission recommended approval. (MAY/WESTON)  6. 219 Washington Street, Pam & Karl Kummer, Property Owner a. The homeowners were not in attendance. Borough Arborist, Bob McMullin, commented that he has no issue with recommending approval. Following discussion, the members of the Shade Tree Commission recommended approval. (LAMBA/MAY) 7. 54 Pearl Drive, James Martine, Property Owner a. The homeowner was not in attendance. The members of the Shade Tree Commission discussed some of the challenges with Sweet Gums and, following discussion, recommended approval with the condition that another tree be planted on the property to replace the lost tree. (MAY/MOSCHEROSCH) b. For the conditional planting, the Shade Tree Commission recommends the homeowner look at a deep(er) rooted tree species as opposed to a shallow root tree species to mitigate root damage to the sidewalk or driveway. 8. 187 E. Court Street, Bill Schutt, Property Owner a. The homeowner was not in attendance. MAY commented that tree is in decline and that removal of the tree should happen quickly as it poses a hazard. The members of the Shade Tree Commission recommended approval. (WESTON/MAY) 9. 51 Clemens Road, Daniel Friga, Property Owner a. The homeowner was in attendance and commented that the tree is showing signs of disease and decline. Reviewing the permit, MAY commented that the trees are in decline and Borough Arborist, Bob McMullin, commented that he approves of the trees being taken down. MOSCHEROSCH added that the property may qualify for the Borough’s Street Tree Initiative. The Shade Tree Commission recommended approval. (MOSCHEROSCH/WESTON). Old/New Business: 1. Street Tree Planting Update a. Sustainability Coordinator, Grant Rowe, commented that the Borough is continuing its Street Tree Initiative planting efforts. It has planted 16 trees in the Old Orchard neighborhood and will be moving towards Clemens in the coming week(s). Rowe then reviewed the few additional properties that had requested a tree and suggested that the Shade Tree Commission close the request form for this phase of the Street Tree Initiative as the supply of trees is dwindling and there is little time for planting. After discussion, the Shade Tree Commission decided to close the Street Tree request form. b. Rowe also added that the Borough aims to print out tiny signs to place next to the Street Trees planted to let people know of the program. 2. Draft Tree Educational Material a. Rowe reviewed the educational tree material and asked that a Shade Tree Commission member work with him outside of the meeting to finish the document. MAY volunteered. WESTON recommended adding a bullet point to each tree listed in the packet to include whether a specific tree is shallow or deep-rooted. LAMBA suggested making the size of a tree clearer on the page. WESTON added that the entire booklet could be organized by tree size, e.g. small trees, medium trees, and large trees. 3. Plant Grant Planting Complete a. Rowe shared that the Borough hosted a public planting event at Broad Commons Park as part of its Plant Grant from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. Around 35-40 people attended the event. Additionally, he thanked Baldev Lamba for his help in leading the event and noted that the Borough will thank Baldev in its social media posts regarding the event. 4. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Conference a. Rowe shared that the Borough is able to send one Shade Tree Commission member to the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Native Plant Conference. LAMBA volunteered and Rowe agreed to follow up with him to get him his ticket. 5. Tree Work a. MAY commented that there is a hickory tree on Paine Street that needs to be evaluated and removed. PECO may be removing it. Sustainability Coordinator, Grant Rowe, agreed to look into this. b. MAY added that there is sidewalk work being completed across from Jules Thin Crust pizza and that guidance may be needed on what to do with empty tree pits. Sustainability Coordinator, Grant Rowe, agreed to follow-up on this. Reports: 1. Chairperson Report a. MOSCHEROSCH asked about the process for reporting a hazardous tree and Sustainability Coordinator, Grant Rowe, commented that all a resident needs to do is reach out to the Borough if they believe they see a hazardous tree. The Borough then looks at the tree and, if necessary, addresses the tree if it is Borough owned or contacts the respective tree (home) owner. MOSCHEROSCH and Borough Arborist, Bob McMullin, commented that the Borough has some large trees that are starting to decline. b. Tree Tabulation Report Updates i. Rowe added that he is working on purchasing a new layer to add to the Borough’s TreeKeeper software. He is awaiting an invoice from the company. 2. Arborist’s Report a. Borough Arborist, Bob McMullin, commented that signs of bacterial leaf scorch on Oak will start soon, e.g. in the middle of July and/or the end of August. There is a treatment that began to be implemented around 4-years ago and the results are somewhat promising. That said, it is not a cure and has only been applied to trees in early stages of infestation (less than 20% of tree is infected). b. Separately, Beeches are struggling due to Beech Leaf Disease. The disease is spreading fast and quickly harming the trees. c. Additionally, there is an insect, the Box Tree Moth, that is impacting Boxwoods. The Borough has not had much of an issue, but it is keeping an eye on it. Public Comment: There is no public comment. Adjournment: There will be no further business before the Shade Tree Commission. The meeting was adjourned at 8:16pm (LAMBA/WESTON) Next Shade Tree Commission Meeting is Tuesday, July 14, 2026