Shade Tree Commission Meeting – November 11, 2025
Shade Tree Commission Meeting – November 11, 2025
Note: The agenda listed a 6:30 PM start time, while the provided metadata indicates 11:30 UTC. This summary follows the agenda time but notes the discrepancy.
The Shade Tree Commission met on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to review grading permits, a clearing permit, discuss the fall bare root planting, the Wayne Master Plan, a county tree canopy study, and a community tree planting proposal. All new permits were approved, and the clearing permit was approved contingent on arborist inspection. The commission also heard a proposal for a community planting in the Ithan Valley and expressed support.
Consent Calendar
- Meeting Minutes (September 24, 2025): Approved unanimously.
New Grading Permits
- 340 Highland Lane – Addition, Patio, Driveway, Walkway: Removal of one 10‑inch holly tree; 150 cubic yards of earth to remain on site; tree protection fencing installed. Approved unanimously.
- 530 Camp Woods Circle – New Family Dwelling and Pool (Revision): Previously approved November 2024; pool shape changed from amoebic to rectangular; 7 trees to be removed with replacement plantings (cryptomeria, black gum, white oak). Approved unanimously.
- 880 Lesley Road – Addition, Patio & Pool: Removal of a 42‑inch tulip poplar (with disease) and a 32‑inch walnut (one‑sided from pruning); 12 replacement trees proposed (red maple, taxodium, yellowwood, etc.). A 40‑inch dawn redwood will be protected with fencing. Approved unanimously.
Tree Removal – Clearing Permit
- 417 Yorkshire Road – Removal of 12 trees: Homeowners presented an arborist report from Rick’s Certified Arborist indicating hazardous trees. The commission noted the report lacked close‑up photos of defects. Motion to approve contingent upon (1) submission of a proper Radnor Township Hazardous Tree Report (by MG Tree, the contractor) and (2) inspection by Township Arborist John. If any tree is deemed non‑hazardous, compensatory planting will be required. Motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
- Fall Bare Root Planting Status: Frank reported 37 trees for residents, 3 replacements at Fenimore, 4 at West Wayne Cemetery, 36 for the Willows reforestation, plus 6 extra trees (to be planted along Darby Paoli Road or at the Willows). 29 volunteers registered. Tree planting planned for Saturday; staking and logistics set. Food will be provided. Discussion of coordinating with absent member Eugene.
New Business
- Wayne Master Plan: James attended a multi‑commission meeting. Commission suggested: requiring trees in the Wayne business district, especially near new parking lots; including tree trenches in sidewalk development; requiring low‑impact root tree species; and considering flood‑absorptive trees in prone areas. Ongoing input welcomed.
- Delco Tree Canopy Study: Frank presented that Radnor has the second‑largest tree canopy in Delaware County (≈4,500 acres, 9% of county canopy) and the second‑lowest percent canopy change since 2022. Commission saw this as a PR opportunity to publish in local media and to apply for the Governor’s Award and a PECO grant. The Miyawaki forest article will appear in the Radnor News in December.
Community Tree Planting Proposal
- Ithan Valley Planting: Philip Gilbert (lifelong Radnor resident, Haverford Township parks worker) proposed planting 25+ native saplings (from Chesapeake Bay Foundation) at the intersection of Ithan and Wild Haven. Trees are small plugs; no heavy equipment needed. Commission praised the initiative and directed James to coordinate with Public Works Director Ricky Foster for final approval. Gilbert was encouraged to become a Tree Tender and to collaborate with the Radnor Conservancy. No formal vote taken; concept approved pending staff sign‑off.
Hazardous Trees
- Removed by Residents: List of 6 properties (124 Bloomingdale, 225 Upper Gulph Rd, 502 Chestnut, 502 Oak Grove, 526 St. David’s Rd). All previously reported; no action needed.
- Removed by Radnor Township: List of 8 locations (Emlen Tunnel Park, 892 Briarwood, Encke Park, 430 Barclay Rd, Fenimore Woods, Tap Trail Extension, 345 Yorkshire, 116 S. Aberdeen). All hazardous; approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- None offered.
Key Outcomes
- Three grading permits approved unanimously.
- Clearing permit for 417 Yorkshire approved contingent on hazard report and arborist inspection.
- Fall bare root planting plan endorsed; volunteer logistics confirmed.
- Commission directed to forward Wayne Master Plan suggestions (tree requirements, low‑impact species, flood mitigation) to planners.
- Tree canopy study to be used for publicity and grant applications.
- Community tree planting at Ithan Valley approved in concept pending approval from Public Works.
- Hazardous tree removals by residents and township acknowledged.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Liberty Justice Rolls for all. Yes, and happy Veterans Day to all the veterans, Frank included. Ian, if you hear me, uh Eugene is not going to join us, so you can turn off the Zoom. All right, first up, uh meeting minutes. Does anybody have any questions or comments? Uh anybody want to make a motion to approve or I'll make a motion, second. All in favor? All right. Uh for new. Well, actually, first up, I want to thank Ricky's not here, but Leah, thank you to you and Ricky for having this meeting tonight on short notice. Appreciate it. Um other thing before we get started, because this is going to come up. The new ordinance um for the clearing permits. That was passed at the last or two board of commissioner meetings. Um so that's good to go. And then the conversation with the right-away trees, we can talk about that later if any if Frank wants to step in. All right. First up with new grain permits, we have uh 340 Highland. Is anybody here for that? Yes. If you could come up to the mic and uh introduce yourself, your project, give us a lowdown on it. Do I need to put this out anywhere? Uh yeah, sure. Right on the table, and Ian will put it up on the board or the screen. Is that work for you guys? Okay. Uh so is it a addition pool? Uh addition. Addition. Yes. Uh hi, I'm Matt Brunier. Um the owner of uh single family residential home at 340 Highland Lane in Brynmar. Um we submitted a grading permit application and plans uh approval of construction of a building addition and patio. Uh our project was sent to Shade Tree for review uh because of uh earth work exceeding the threshold. Um we are uh proposing to remove a 10-inch holly tree. Uh and the engineer has prepared plans showing uh tree protection fencing to protect the trees that to remain. Um so I can just point here. Yeah, if you want to show us the yeah, there's a holly tree right here. Okay, that's the the one we have to remove uh because uh this is the additional building that's going in. Oh sorry. This is the additional building uh that's going in. Um the uh the the holly tree basically is right there, so they they would remove that. All right, and um that was a 10 inch you said Holly 10 inch, uh 10 inch Holly tree, yes. All right, and where are you coming in to uh ingress egress equipment, whatever to do the work? Uh the uh equipment is gonna come around this way. Okay. Um is there any trees in the way there? These trees right here are along the ledge. Uh they're they're all same thing. They're probably all at most like 20 inch, 10 inch, but they're they're not in the way.
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