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History of the Shade Tree Commission |
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"I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree"-Here a single immortal line reminds us that we are very fortunate in Merchantville, N.J. We have thousands of fine shade trees; we have not always had a Merchantville. When it came, it was carved out of a natural standing forest. Merchantville fed from that natural resource for about 42 years. Through age, disease and the progress of a small town, our natural resource was in jeopardy. This was of concern to many of our residents who lost trees along their streets. The Borough agreed to plant trees between the street and the side walk, for a fee of $ 1.50 per tree.
Another 40 years passed before Borough Council recognized another problem. In the year 1942 Borough Council formed a Shade Tree Commission according to State provisions. This group was assigned the task of planting, caring and removing
all trees that stand between the street and the side walk and all public property. The rest of the trees in Merchantville to be in the care of the property owner. The first Shade Tree Commission members were namely, C. Stuart Cooper, President, M. Joseph Truscott, Secretary and Commissioners Harry O.Yates and Dr. A. Lincoln Sherk, and Councilman Robert A. Rudolph, Borough Committee Public Works.
The second generation of Shade Tree Commission is now only history.They would tell you all they needed to know about life, they have learned from trees: (a) It's important to have roots, (b) In today's complex world it is important to branch out, (c) Don't pine away over old flames, and (d) It is more important to be honest than poplar. (Author Unknown)
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