Potter & McKean County Community Source 3/29/22

29 2022

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MARCH

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Austin • Coudersport • Crosby • Eldred • Gifford • Kane • Lewis Run • Mt. Jewett • Otto Eldred • Port Allegany Ridgway • Roulette • Smethport • Turtlepoint

Photo by Barb Davis Otto-Eldred won the North Tier boys basketball league with a perfect 16-0 conference record, while Cameron County’s Hayden Brown was named Player of the Year and Austin’s John Ogden was selected Coach of the Year. Pictured are, front row (from left): Alex Ognen (Smethport), Cayden Black (Oswayo Valley), Jacob Hooftallen (Austin), Drew Evens (Port Allegany). Back row: Landon Francis (Otto-Eldred), Gavin Jimerson (Otto-Eldred), Hayden Brown (Cameron County), Camdyn Allison (Cameron County), Garrett Kellert (Coudersport), Christian Furman (Coudersport).

Photo by Barb Davis Otto-Eldred swept through the North Tier girls basketball league, finishing 16-0. O-E’s Katie Sheeler was named the conference’s Player of the Year, while Shawn Gray was selected Coach of the Year. Pictured are, front row (from left): Kayleigha Dowell (Port Allegany), Katie Sheeler (Otto-Eldred), Bri Heller (Otto-Eldred), Anna Merry (Otto-Eldred), Ella Brewer (Austin).

Back row: Rebecca Martin (Northern Potter), Courtney Martin (Northern Potter), Elizabeth Hungiville (Smethport), Bel Porterfield (Coudersport), Liz Frame (Coudersport).

Otto-Eldred’s Sheeler, Gray earn top North Tier accolades

BY JEFF UVEINO DUKE CENTER, Pa. — Everything about Otto-Eldred’s season was dominant.

The Terrors girls basketball team swept the North Tier League in 2021-22, and to no surprise, O-E swept the league’s postseason awards, as well.

Katie Sheeler was named Player of the Year and Shawn Gray was

selected Coach of the Year after a season that saw the Terrors advance deep into the PIAA playoffs. With a 16-0 run in league play, O-E finally dethroned rivals of recent seasons and won the league for the first time in 44 years.

“It was one for the ages, that’s for sure,” Gray said.

“It seems like it’s still going, in a way. You look back and the season went by in a

Grant to bring broadband to three townships in McKean Co. A grant of more than $530,000 has been obtained to bring broadband to Hamlin, Keating and Sergeant townships in McKean County.

The project will provide service to 212 residential structures and four business structures.

Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of $10 million for 19 projects, including this one, through the Commonwealth Financing Authority for nongovernmental entities to deploy middle-mile and last-mile high-speed broadband infrastructure to unserved areas in Pennsylvania through the Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program.

“Nearly one million Pennsylvanians lack access to broadband internet connectivity – and we are working to change that,” said Wolf. “High-speed internet is critical for working and learning from home, for businesses operating online services, for patients relying on telehealth, and more.

This funding will help enhance the quality of life for residents in unserved areas of the commonwealth.”

The grant was awarded through the Unserved High-Speed Broadband Program to SkyPacket Networks Inc., which has been working with McKean County commissioners to enhance broadband service in the county. The company will use the funding to help install fixed wireless broadband infrastructure in Hamlin, Keating and Sergeant townships.

The total project cost is $706,998, with SkyPacket committing $176,750. The grant is for $530,248.

Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, who authored the legislation creating the grant program, said, “Broadband service is a necessity, not a luxury, and I am pleased to see this sizable investment in expanding access to more people in McKean County. I look forward to more investments like this one across the Northern Tier to ensure our students, families,

employers and health care providers have the highspeed internet service they need.”

Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, said, “Rural Pennsylvanians have been suffering from a lack of interest on the part of major providers in providing broadband to our region of PA. Our local governments and smaller providers like SkyPacket have been doing some out-of-the-box thinking to develop ways to provide what is, in this day and age, a critical service to our constituents, schools, employers and health care services.”

He added that he was excited to support Causer’s bill in the Senate “to help our local government partners gain resources to complete projects like this for our underserved constituents.”

According to its grant application, SkyPacket is planning to expand its fixed wireless broadband network by installing two new 120-foot towers. SkyPacket is working with McKean County and private landowners to secure lease agreements for the two tower site locations. The proposed infrastructure will provide speeds of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload and maximum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.

Dush explained, “There are 4 brick and mortar businesses, a few home-based businesses, and numerous properties that are used for various agricultural, forestry, natural gas or utility purposes within the area to be affected by this project.

Improved access to highspeed internet service will help retain the jobs at the existing businesses and make the area more appealing for future development.”

The senator continued, “Additionally, the pandemic has shown us the importance of people being able to function from home, whether it be work-related, school-related or just social interaction and entertainment — it all increases the importance of having broadband access.”

blink, but at the same time, it was a long, long season.

I can’t say enough about my players. If I had been allowed to nominate four (all-stars), we probably would have had four.”

Sheeler was nothing short of spectacular — the junior guard averaged 18 points, three assists, three rebounds and five steals per game. After dominating the North Tier, she was

crucial in O-E’s run to the District 9 Class A championship game and its subsequent run to the PIAA quarterfinals. “(Sheeler) is a once-ina-lifetime player,” Gray said. “She’s probably the best player in District 9 and maybe even in the Big 30, and to watch and coach her every night is amazing. I’m glad I get to do it for another year.”

Sheeler was joined on the all-star team by a pair of junior teammates. Guard Anna Merry and forward Bri Heller. Merry averaged eight points, three rebounds and three steals per game while providing defense and hustle. Heller averaged eight points, six rebounds, two steals and over one block per game while bullying the league in the paint.

In just four seasons at O-E, Gray has already amassed impressive credentials. The Terrors are 79-21 under his lead, and with Sheeler, Merry, Heller and others returning, Gray has positioned O-E for sustained success.

“I’m flattered by it and I’m grateful that my peers look at me that way,

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PennDOT highlights elk country improvements, other projects BENEZETTE — A $2.8 million project on Winslow Hill in Elk County was highlighted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation among projects for this year.

Department officials were joined by staff from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to also help celebrate the coming start of the Winslow Hill Road safety and elk viewing improvement project.

“The beauty and charm of Pennsylvania cannot be overstated. Helping visitors travel safely to these areas means investing money in the upkeep, repair, and replacement of roads and bridges”, said Gov. Tom Wolf. “It’s exciting to see the impact these projects will have as they help communities in the north central region keep thriving.”

While discussing work continuing or beginning this year, officials highlighted the importance of a 5.6-mile paving project to start this spring on Winslow Hill Road (T-520) in Benezette. The project will include roadway widening/reconstruction, improvements of roadway shoulders to enhance pedestrian movements, emergency vehicle accommodation, drainage and guide rail. The $2.8 million project is funded by the state Multimodal Transportation fund.

“This project on Winslow Hill will enhance safety for local residents as well as visitors,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation Jennie Louwerse. “Overall, road

and bridge work across the bridges,” said District 2 Creek in Shippen Township, nine counties of District 2 Executive Tom Zurat. “BIL Cameron County, $1.6 milwill make daily travel safer funding will help us have lion, including $1.4 from and more convenient and a positive impact on more the BIL; keep goods and services communities, as we ad• E l m moving into and out of the dress infrastructure needs.” Street bridge; local bridge region. We’re happy to celNotable projects that replacement project over ebrate this progress today.” will continue this year in- east branch of Tunungwant Officials gave some clude: Route 4013/A03; Creek in City of Bradford, overall highMcKean County, lights of projects $1.7 million; in the PennDOT • Engineering Route 219/537; District 2 rehighway resgion – which intoration in the cludes Cameron, City of Bradford, Elk, McKean, B r a d f o r d Potter, Centre, Township, and Clearfield, Foster Township, Clinton, Juniata McKean County; and Mifflin $6.5 million, incounties. cluding $1.3 milMore than lion from the BIL; 210 miles of pavand ing and repair • or replacement Route 6/626; reof 53 bridges are surfacing projplanned. ect in Roulette These imTownship, Potter provements inCounty from clude projects McKean County supported and line to Fishing accelerated by Creek, $5.4 the Bipartisan million.

File Infrastructure As construcLaw (BIL). In The elk herd at Benezette is a tourist draw, but tion projects are 2022 alone, the poor conditions on Winslow Hill road has made it underway in the BIL is bringing difficult in the past. PennDOT announced a $2.8 region, the travat least $22 mil- million project there in the coming year. eling public can lion in additional anticipate seeing funding to be many work zones allocated by the and are urged to department and its local Bridge replacement over keep in mind their safety Metropolitan and Rural the Allegheny River in and the safety of highway Planning Organization Allegany Township, Potter workers. When encounpartners, including at County; $928,000; and tering a work zone, please least $8 million more Route 144/A03; Bridge re- drive the posted speed from the North Central placement over Ives Run limit, turn on your headPennsylvania Regional in Abbott Township, Potter lights, pay close attention Planning and Development County, $998,000. to signs and flaggers and Commission.

Notable projects that avoid all distractions. In “We cover a large, have begun or are begin- high traffic locations, momostly rural region and ning this year include: torists are encouraged to the increased funding from • R o u t e use both lanes of travel to the BIL provides much 4004/A03; bridge replace- the merge point and are to needed help as we continue ment over Driftwood take turns merging into the to improve our roads and Branch of Sinnemahoning open lane.

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MARCH 29, 2022

Forest Service seeks comment on plans to increase suppression of spongy moth

BY JIM ECKSTROM The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comments on a proposal to use additional treatment methods to suppress outbreaks of spongy moth — formerly known as gypsy moth — on the Allegheny National Forest in future years.

Treatment under the USFS’s previous decision allows the aerial application of B.t.k. (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) — a naturally occurring native bacterium — to the crowns of overstory trees. The Forest Service is proposing to supplement treatments by expanding the range of approved methods to include tebufenozide, Gypchek and a protocol for approving the use of other methods in the future.

Treatment under the USFS’s previous decision allows the aerial application of B.t.k. (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) — a naturally occurring native bacterium — to the crowns of overstory trees. The Forest Service proposes supplementing treatments by using tebufenozide, a selective insecticide, and Gypchek, a biosecticide that kills spongy moth larvae.

The USPS said it also wants to establish a protocol for approving the use of other suppression methods in the future.

The Allegheny National Forest has partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and state and private forestry experts to conduct spongy moth egg mass surveys to assess population trends and inform potential management responses to suppress

Chris Leeser / U.S. Forest Service

populations and resulting defoliation.

Defoliation caused by spongy moth caterpillars — the caterpillars particularly favor oak leaves — was widespread in the region last summer, both in Pennsylvania and New York.

Native to Eurasia, Lymantria dispar (spongy moth) is a serious pest of North American forests, with caterpillars that feed on more than 300 species of trees and shrubs. In the summer season of 2021, parts of the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada saw some of the largest outbreaks of L. dispar in decades.

For more information, a draft

supplemental environmental assessment is available at www.fs.usda.gov/ project/?project=61480 Printed copies are available upon request. The USFS asks for comments by April 25.

Comments may be emailed to comments-eastern-allegheny@usda. gov. Enter the project name (Spongy Moth Suppression) on the subject line and include your name and physical mailing address as well.

Comments may be sent by mail to Jamie Davidson, forest supervisor, Allegheny National Forest, 4 Farm Colony Drive, Warren, Pa., 16365.

Comments may also be faxed to (814) 726-1465.

For questions, contact forest silviculturist Josh Hanson at (814) 728-6161 or joshua.w.hanson@usda. gov.

As for the name change, the Entomological Society of America removed “gypsy” as the recognized common name for two insect species in its Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List. (“Gypsy ant” was the other species.)

The changes are made in conjunction with the launch of a new ESA program to review and replace insect common names that may be inappropriate or offensive.

“Entomologists, scientists in related fields, and the public are invited to participate in identifying and proposing alternatives for insect common names that perpetuate negative ethnic or racial stereotypes,” the Entomological Society of America stated in 2021.

The existing common names for the moth Lymantria dispar and the ant Aphaenogaster araneoides were identified as containing a derogatory term for the Romani people. In June, the ESA governing board elected to remove the common names for both species.

“The purpose of common names is to make communication easier between scientists and the public audiences they serve,” ESA president Michelle S. Smith said. “By and large, ESA’s list of recognized insect common names succeeds in this regard, but names that are unwelcoming to marginalized communities run directly counter to that goal.”

Commissioners approve contracts for 911 Thompson improvements announces 2022 The McKean County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a slate of agreements that complete upgrades to the county’s 911 system.

“It’s certainly going to benefit our county and our residents,” said Commissioner Tom Kreiner.

The measures included a letter of concurrence with the Pennsylvania State Police Statewide Radio Network for two frequencies, and an agreement between McKean County and the state police for the use of the PA-STARNet, which is what the radio network is called.

A series of contracts, leases or purchase agreements were approved for the project as well.

The first, to Xybix, was for six workstations at a cost of $114,850.42; relocating lights to a designation staging area for $3,432.54; SMB electronics recorder replacement for $77,359.60; a contract with MCM Consulting Group for $240,000 to implement the public safety communications system; Motorola contract for $7,772,614.09 with a completion date of Oct 30, 2023; carpeting for the 911 center, $15,056; and $500 for installation of internet and $200 a month for dedicated monthly internet access.

After the meeting, Kreiner explained the project will improve all communications with the 911 Center, “whether it’s paging, which is the initial dispatch, to the radio communication process once the dispatch has been made.”

He said it was a much overdue update.

“The system was outdated to say the least,” he explained. These improvements go along with the NextGen system, but are separate from it, Kreiner said.

The system will be piggybacking on the infrastructure that state police have in place.

“By combining our efforts with the state police network, it saves many millions of dollars from having to build towers or anything like that,” the commissioner said.

The next step in the process will be the educational component, bringing the local police and fire departments up to date on the new technology.

At the meeting, consultant Mike Grady said the improvements will make the 911 system much better. “They will improve the quality drastically.”

Kreiner said, “It’s certainly going to be a benefit to our county and our residents.”

The commissioners said the county had to wait its turn behind other counties that were doing similar upgrades.

“I think we’ve got a big winner here,” said commissioner Cliff Lane.

Commissioner Carol Duffy said, “we were first introduced to this concern at a County Commissioners Association conference.”

While that was several years ago, she said the commissioners are glad that they were able to make the project happen.

In other business, the commissioners read a proclamation naming March as Bleeding Disorder Month.

Congressional Art Competition

BELLEFONTE — The 2022 Congressional Art Competition in Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District is now accepting entries.

“The Congressional Art Competition is a great way to foster creativity and encourage young artists in our communities,” Rep. Glenn Thompson said. “I am looking forward to seeing all the entries and welcoming the winning student to Washington, D.C.” Winners will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a full year and are invited to a ceremony in Washington.

All participating students from the 15th Congressional District, which includes McKean, Cameron and Elk counties, will have their artwork displayed in the Winkler Gallery of Fine Art in Dubois. Students, friends and families are invited to a

reception to celebrate their work and meet the congressman and local artists at 2 p.m. May 7.

The winning artwork will be selected by an independent panel of judges established by the Winkler Gallery.

The deadline for submissions is April 29.

All pieces entered for consideration must meet the following criteria: • Work must be two-dimensional.

• No larger than 26 inches wide by 26 inches tall by 4 inches thick.

• Can’t weigh more than 15 pounds.

• Be original in design, concept and execution.

• May not violate any U.S. copyright laws.

For complete contest rules visit: https:// www.house.gov/educators-and-students/congressional-art-competition

Submit news, photos, etc. to:

SOURCEBPC@GMAIL.COM

North Tier continued from 1 especially following up Coach (reigning NTL Coach of the Year, the late Bob) Tingley,” Gray said.

“That means a lot. But you don’t get coach of the year without having a good team and good players, that’s for sure.”

Liz Frame and Bel Porterfield were each selected NTL all-stars for Coudersport. Frame, a senior guard, averaged 11 points, five steals and three assists per game.

Porterfield, a junior guard, averaged six points, four steals and two assists, serving as Coudy’s top defender.

Smethport sophomore guard Elizabeth Hungiville averaged 14 points and nine rebounds per game while amassing 51 steals and 10 blocks.

Northern Potter’s Courtney and Rebecca Martin often worked in tandem to lead the team on both ends of the floor.

Courtney, a senior guard, averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and four steals per game, while Rebecca, a junior forward, averaged 11 points, 11 rebounds, over one assist and three steals.

Rounding out the allstar selections were Port Allegany sophomore forward Kayleigha Dowell (10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assists, 1 block) and Austin sophomore guard Ella Brewer (12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals).

Northern Tier boys All-Stars Hayden Brown’s North Tier League domination lasted throughout the season.

The Cameron County senior averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in 2021-22, garnering NTL Player of the Year honors. His 60-point performance against Galeton — a District 9 record — stands out from Brown’s stellar campaign, but as a guard with the length of a forward, Brown was crucial in the Red Raiders’ second-place NTL finish and D9 playoff berth.

Brown led CC to a 13-2 mark in the North Tier and 17-6 record overall.

An inside presence that could shoot the 3-pointer with the area’s best, he finished third in the district in scoring.

“He gave us a lot of different ideas on how we can use him, and he opened it

up for everyone else on the floor, as well,” coach Marcus Brown said. “A lot of teams are so focused on him, and rightfully so, that it opens up opportunities for the other four guys.”

Despite a quarterfinal playoff exit, the Red Raiders enjoyed a successful trip through conference play, their only two losses coming to league champion Otto-Eldred.

Camdyn Allison, a junior who averaged 10 points, four rebounds and three assists per game for CC, joined Brown on the All-Star team.

O-E’s 16-0 run through the league garnered two All-Stars.

Gavin Jimerson, a senior forward who averaged 14.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, was vital in O-E’s front court while also showing the ability to score from distance.

Freshman guard Landon Francis, meanwhile, masterfully managed the floor for the Terrors, averaging 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.6 steals per game.

In his first season as head coach at Austin, John Ogden led a rebuilding Panther group to a 6-10 mark in the North Tier and 7-13 record overall. For his efforts, Ogden was selected NTL Coach of the Year.

At at the team’s core was Jacob Hooftallen, a junior guard whose nine points and 7.2 rebounds per game garnered All-Star honors.

Coudersport had two All-Stars. Christian Furman averaged 15.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, three assists and four steals per game, while Garrett Kellert averaged 8.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and three steals. The two seniors highlighted a veteran Coudy lineup that finished 11-12 overall and earned a D9 playoff berth.

Smethport’s Alex Ognen enjoyed a huge senior season, earning an AllStar nod for the Hubbers.

The senior guard averaged 18.2 points per game while leading his team in steals and assists, as the Hubbers finished 9-7 in the league and 12-11 overall before a district quarterfinal loss to Ridgway.

Rounding out the AllStar selections were Port Allegany junior guard Drew Evens (11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.2 assists per game) and Oswayo Valley junior guard Cayden Black (16 points per game).

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BLT rehearsing for ordinary days show in April A cast of four talented singers of Bradford Little Theatre are currently hard at work rehearsing for their upcoming show entitled ordinary days.

(The proper title is all lowercase) This show will be performed before a public audience at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15 and at 2 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. Doors of Togi’s Playhouse on

Welch Avenue in Bradford will open 30 minutes before each performance.

Director of this product Ryan Wheeler has worked alongside Creative Director Skyler Schapp and Producer Andrew Truman to bring an uplifting and new musical to the Bradford area.

Tickets for this show are $10 each.

This will be the first time audience

members of Togi’s Playhouse will be able to utilize the new padded chairs within the theater, since the old church pews have been removed.

For more information about ordinary days and the Bradford Little Theatre visit www.bradfordlittletheatre.org.

BASD to receive $200K grant for new manufacturing program Bradford Area School District was awarded $200,000 to create a student-run manufacturing program, expected to launch during the 2022-23 school year.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced new funding for Bradford Area School District, through Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing PA Tr a i n i n g - t o - C a r e e r Program (MTTC), to create a student-run program and boost awareness of available opportunities in the commonwealth’s manufacturing industry.

“The Training to Career grant presents such an exciting opportunity for our students to learn all aspects of manufacturing

while cultivating relationships with and serving our local manufacturing businesses,” said Katherine Pude, BASD Superintendent.

This pilot program, which will be known as BAHS Manufacturing, will give qualifying students the opportunity to participate in a manufacturing enterprise making actual parts and delivering services as part of the supply chain for local manufacturers.

Over the course of an academic school year, students will learn about and perform different job functions in manufacturing, develop essential skills, utilize advanced manufacturing technologies and build relationships with local

companies. The program will involve a total of 85 students.

“MTTC provides funding for the type of hands-on, real world experience that prepares students for successful manufacturing careers,” said Wolf.

Pude continued, “We look forward to partnering with the Northwest PA Industrial Resource Center and our local manufacturers to create this student-run enterprise and are grateful for the funding from the Wolf administration to be able to do so.”

Wolf’s Manufacturing PA initiative was launched in October 2017, and since then has funded 64 projects and invested more than $14.6 million through the

MTTC program.

“The program also helps create a pipeline of good, qualified workers that help ensure manufacturing in Pennsylvania continues to flourish,” Wolf added.

Training-to-Career grants support projects that result in short-term work-readiness, job placement, or the advancement of manufacturing. The program works collaboratively with local manufacturers to identify and teach missing essential skills for entry level applicants seeking manufacturing employment, engage youth or those with barriers to career opportunities in manufacturing, and or advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers.

Forest Service interactive map spotlights connection between water, ANF WARREN — Have you ever wondered where your drinking water comes from? To help land managers and the public understand where their water comes from and what affects it, the USDA Forest Service launched an enhanced interactive map called Forests to Faucets 2.0. The map shows that forests are a critical link in providing dependable water for drinking across the country.

The interactive map, also called a Story Map, is designed to increase public and land manager understanding of the relationship between forests and water quality. The map visualizes the role forests have in supplying drinking water across the country, and it can help planners, forestry professionals, watershed groups, educators and others see how forests help protect water quality.

“Forests to Faucets is a powerful tool that demonstrates the direct link between the Allegheny National Forest and clean water,” said Forest Supervisor Jamie Davidson.

“The map shows how water from the

forest connects us all, from the Allegheny Scenic and Wild River to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and all the communities in between.”

Forests to Faucets shows how some watersheds are more important than others for drinking water. The map also depicts threats to water sources, including insects and diseases, landuse changes, future decreases in water yields and wildfire potential.

The map is useful for anyone interested in the Allegheny National Forest and the country’s watersheds and drinking water.

Businesses, organizations, and landowners can use it to identify reliable sources of water, have more information available for planning and to develop grant applications for activities like water conservation and tree planting. The data can also be used for teaching and learning in geography, environmental studies, biology, hydrology, and other disciplines.

For more information or to explore the interactive map visit https://usfs. maps.arcgis.com/apps/ MapSeries.

How to pick the right trees for your propert Trees benefit a landscape by serving both aesthetic and utilitarian functions. A home surrounded by healthy green trees can be a sight to behold, and those same trees can benefit surrounding plants and wildlife at the same time.

As appealing as trees are, not all trees and landscapes make for the perfect match. The Arbor Day Foundation notes the importance of planning when designing a landscape.

Planning ensures the trees homeowners ultimately choose for their properties will grow well in the soil and moisture present in their yards.

Careful consideration of a handful of variables can help homeowners determine which trees will make the best fit for their properties.

• Height: Homeowners must consider the projected height of a tree before planting it. Avoid trees that will bump into anything when

fully grown, as that can adversely affect surrounding greenery and pose a safety hazard. The ADF’s tree sizing guide can be accessed at https://www.arborday. org/trees/rightTreeAndPlace/size.cfm and serves as an invaluable resource for homeowners who want to plant new trees around their properties.

• Canopy spread: Trees grow out as well as up, so it’s important to consider their potential width at maturity as well. The ADF sizing guide can help homeowners get an idea of how wide a tree is likely to be at maturity. Trees that spread out quite a bit don’t necessarily need to be avoided, but it’s important that they’re planted far enough apart so they don’t adversely affect surrounding plants. In addition, wide trees that are planted too close together can make the landscape appear crowded, taking something away from its aesthetic appeal.

• Growth rate: Growth rate is an important variable because it can affect how quickly homeowners will see changes in their landscapes. Homeowners who want to plant for privacy can consider trees with quick growth rates or purchase more mature trees that are already near full growth. Those who are not in need of instant

transformation can try trees with slower growth rates, which the ADF notes typically live longer than fast-growing species.

• Requirements: Different trees require different amounts of sun and moisture and different soil components to thrive.

Homeowners can have their soil tested to determine which trees will thrive in it.

Local garden centers can be a great resource for homeowners who want insight as to which trees will thrive in their local climates.

Trees serve many

functions on a property.

Choosing the right trees for a landscape requires careful consideration of a host of variables.