With spring in full swing, the Lehighton Shade Tree Commission has planned several initiatives.

The first of those will take place on Saturday,in recognition of Earth Day, according to Mark Hoffman, chairman of the shade tree commission.On that day, Hoffman said shade tree commission members, along with the support of volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 82, will replace trees that did not survive last year's planting."The majority of the trees that need to be replaced are located near the D&L Pavilion," Hoffman said. "They will be replacing the deceased dogwood trees with Cleveland Selects since Cleveland Select trees are more tolerant of harsh growing conditions and poor soil quality."Boy Scout Troop 82 will assist the shade tree commission at 6 p.m. April 27 at Trinity Lutheran Church.Hoffman said they will bag seedlings that are handed out to middle school students on Arbor Day.In honor of Arbor Day, the shade tree commission, along with a PPL forester, borough Mayor Tom Mace, and middle school students will meet at 7:30 a.m. April 28.Hoffman said there will be four middle school classes participating this year, with seedlings handed out to all students, as four larger diameter oak trees will be planted in the Community Grove at Seventh and Iron streets.Stephen Dahl, a forester working for PPL Electric Utilities, will instruct students on the proper planting techniques, and share the importance of planting the right tree at the right location, he said.The shade tree commission has had this partnership with PPL Electric Utilities for over 10 years, and Hoffman said they are very appreciative of this long-lasting relationship.He said PPL EU will be paying for the four large red oaks that will be planted by the students, along with the over 200 seedlings that will be handed out.Hoffman said it's something that PPL EU has graciously done each year, as thousands of seedlings have been given out and planted over the years."This partnership with Boy Scout Troop 82 is invaluable to the success of this event," he said. "This relationship came to fruition based on the influence of Troop leader Scot Wingert and his wife, Judy, who along with their daughter, Sara, are also Shade Tree members."Hoffman is also appreciative of the relationship the shade tree commission has formed with the middle school, and in particular, Science teacher Joe Yescavage, whom he said has been a real pleasure to work with due to how excited and engaged he gets the students in preparation of Arbor Day,"At these festivities, you will see posters made by the students reflecting the importance of Arbor Day, and more important, the value trees provide to our communities and the world we live in," he said.Along with the posters, Hoffman said he always looks forward to the goodies the children bake.Two other proceedings that will take place on Arbor Day will include the presentation of Tree City USA designation to the borough by Steve Ziegler, representing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, along with the Arbor Day proclamation read by Mase and selected students, Hoffman said."The Lehighton Shade Tree Commission is proud of the fact that Lehighton has been designated as "Tree City USA" every year since 1993, and will continue to do their part in helping achieve this award for many years to come," he said.