The Lehighton Shade Tree Commission joined forces with Boy Scout Troop 82 Saturday to plant trees within the borough.

Mark Hoffman, president of the commission, said this is the fifth year in a row the commission has partnered with the Scouts, and each year goes better than the last.Scott Wingert, Scoutmaster of Troop 82, who is also a member of the Shade Tree Commission, was instrumental in bringing the two organizations together.Each year they look at ways to improve on their planting techniques and all agreed that this year's planting seemed to go flawlessly, with everyone having a job to do and everyone putting their best efforts into their work.Along with the tree planting, the brick pavers around two existing trees in front of the old Dollar General store were reset to avoid tripping hazards.The resetting of the bricks was completed by various Scouts under the direction of commission members Robert Strausberger and Kenneth Leffler. Strausberger's son, Mason, helped with the brick work.A larger caliber Cleveland pear was planted in front of the Rite Aid drugstore under the direction of Scout Leader Edward Kroboth.Three smaller caliber Cleveland Pear trees were planted along Coal Street under the direction of Wingert.Hoffman said his role for the day was to circulate among the various planting sites to check in and ask how things were going.He said he was overwhelmingly greeted with a cheerful, "We are doing great, now when are we going to Diggity Dogs?"Diggity Dogs has also been part of this five-year working partnership and every year proprietor Keith Schaffer provides free hot dogs and drinks to the volunteer Scouts.State Rep. Doyle Heffley paid a visit to offer his support to the Scouts and their leaders for their efforts.Members of the Lehighton Shade Tree Commission will be busy again on April 25 when they will partner with Lehighton Area Middle School and PPL Electric Utilities in recognition of Arbor Day 2014.Lehighton will be recognized as a Tree City USA member for 21 years in a row. This is the longest of any town or borough in Carbon County and it ranks 29th in the entire state of Pennsylvania.The commission is responsible for the planting of hundreds of trees within the borough and is looking ahead to support the Sesquicentennial celebration being planned for 2016 with the planting of 150 trees to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the borough.The shade tree commission raises funds for tree planting with money from its memorial tree program. The program allows a tree to have a plaque placed under it to either remember a loved one or honor a special friend or relative. The "Bearthday" Tree celebration program was another initiative started by the commission as a way to honor the birth of a child or perhaps a milestone birthday by having a tree planted in that person's honor.The shade tree commission meets at 6 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month at Lehighton Borough Hall, starting in February and continuing through the fall.