Lewisburg Earns Tree City USA Honor for 41st Consecutive Year

For the 41st consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has named Lewisburg Borough a Tree City USA community, a streak that now stretches back to the mid-1980s and stands as one of the longest-running marks of environmental stewardship in Union County.

The Shade Tree Commission announced the designation and plans to mark Arbor Day with a public tree planting ceremony at 3:00 p.m. on April 24 in the public right-of-way at Meadow View Court, which will be the first ceremonial tree planting ever held in Ward IV.

"Our Borough's forestry efforts reflect Lewisburg's commitment to maintaining a greener, healthier community," said Amy Levan, Shade Tree Commission chairperson. Levan noted that the borough's trees "provide shade, enhance property values, help mitigate flooding, support wildlife and offer other important benefits."

The recognition is not automatic. To be recognized as a Tree City USA, communities must apply annually with activities occurring between January 1 and December 31 that meet or exceed four standards. As the borough stated, those requirements include maintaining an active tree board, keeping a tree care ordinance in place, documenting a budget, and holding an Arbor Day observance. Tree City USA communities must also allocate a minimum of $2 per capita toward community forestry, helping to cover expenses around planting and maintaining trees.

The Lewisburg Borough Shade Tree Commission ordinance as it exists today was adopted on December 14, 1977, and the borough has been a Tree City for what was then 39 years as of a prior anniversary, looking ahead to 40 years in April 2025 and now, with this latest designation, 41.

The commission's mandate runs deeper than simply keeping trees alive. It works to preserve, protect, and replace shade trees throughout the borough while also educating residents on sustainable tree care and stewardship, Levan said. In the last five years alone, over 120 additional trees have been planted as part of the ongoing Hufnagle Park renovations.

Since 1976, the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program has recognized communities of all sizes, from Sibley, North Dakota to New York City. Borough officials said the designation reflects ongoing tree care, funding, and public education efforts.

The April 24 planting at Meadow View Court is open to the public. Anyone seeking more information can contact the Borough Office at 570-523-3614 or visit in person at 55 South Fifth Street, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.