Leetsdale crafting tree database for future projects, grants

Leetsdale officials understand it takes more than having the streets paved, garbage picked up and grass cut to take care of a borough environment.

Some of the tallest things in town also need to be addressed — the trees.

The borough is in the process of crafting a shade tree inventory and database of about 290 trees found in parks, right-of-ways, borough streets and other public places.

The project began May 19 and a presentation of the findings was made on July 13.

Work included visual inspections by Local Government Academy intern and borough resident Conor Kelley, council president Maria Napolitano and arborist Andrew Tomaskovic of Pittsburgh.

“It’s really important to know what we have within our property,” Kelley said. “In Henle Park, we have some arboretum-quality trees. They are beautiful. They are massive and they are really old. It’s important to track their health and their status, and of course applying that to the rest of the borough.”

A report is expected to be posted on the borough website, leetsdaleboro.net.

It lists the species of trees, their common name and where they were located, among other details.

Napolitano said the information being gathered will be very useful.

“The shade tree inventory data can help you plan for future plantings, pick out the best trees for certain locations — such as street trees that will not destroy the sidewalks, that would be proper height for the spot and not interfere with overhead power lines, good species that are resilient and would do well in an urban environment,” she said.

The report can also be used in environmental grant applications.

Some of the species identified included purple beech, fernleaf beech and shaker oak. The largest tree catalogued was a silver maple with an estimated 80-inch diameter that stands more than 30 feet tall.

They also found the invasive tree of heaven along the near the train tracks by Ohio River Boulevard.

The report also highlights the trees planted late April as part of a grant from TreeVitalize.

TreeVitalize is a joint partnership between the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Western PA Conservancy, and other organizations across Pennsylvania.

“I’ve never done something so meticulous and specific, but that’s what you need for this kind of database,” said Kelley.

The report indicates a vast majority of trees in the borough are healthy.

Arborist involvement

Tomaskovic visited the borough June 23. He reviewed some of the data and gave advice on tree care and related topics.

The former Sewickley Shade Tree Commission advisor said he was very impressed with Leetsdale’s work.

“I was impressed with the way that they knew the identity of a lot of the trees and they knew the history of some of them,” he said. “It was clear they care about their community and they’re steep in the history of it. … It’s important for communities to understand how many trees, what types of trees they have, the size, the condition, all those things. Otherwise they really don’t know.”

The arborist said trees not only produce oxygen and help clean the air, they also help regulate soil and air temperature as well as wind along streets. They can create a wind tunnel effect and produce shade, among other amenities.

“They provide a certain sense of gravitas,” Tomaskovic said. “It makes a community feel comfortable and desirable. It makes it feel like an upscale place when you have trees.”

Some of the things to look for when examining trees would be broken or damaged branches, cavities or cracks and pockets of decay in the wood.

Tomaskovic recommended communities consult with an arborist at least every few months to check on their trees.

Resident intern

Kelley, 21, grew up in Leetsdale and graduated from Quaker Valley High School in 2020.

He is studying community environment development and global and international studies at Penn State University.

Kelley called the internship a massive learning experience with his hometown government.

“I get to see everything from a different perspective,” he said. “It’s been incredibly unique and eye opening just being in the office and hearing about recycling or trash pickup. What properties do we actually own and we need to maintain. What are the problems we face every day and how do we solve them. … It’s really amazing getting to see that side of things.”

Kelley was selected for the internship out of three finalists.

The municipal intern program is supported by the state Department of Community & Economic Development, Allegheny County and the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington.

Other Leetsdale internship work includes a blight and delinquent tax property database and assisting with community survey creation.