WHEELING, W.VA. - Wheeling Island’s parks are receiving tree maintenance to ensure the continued health and safety of the urban forest. Through the end of the year, LaRoche Tree Service will continue to prune and remove trees, with the primary goal of enhancing tree health and prioritizing visitor safety. Parks needing maintenance include Belle Island Field, Bloch Park, Bridge Park, Jensen Park, Triangle Park and the Wheeling Island Marina. In these areas, 102 trees are to be pruned with the objective of improving the health, safety and longevity of the landscaped park trees by removing dead or decaying branches. This essential maintenance makes trees resilient against wind, snow and storms, thereby reducing future risks. Ten additional trees will be removed due to their poor condition. A replacement tree will be planted in the parks affected by the removals within a year. If you have questions about this project, please contact the Urban Ecosystem Manager at [email protected]. Since its establishment in 2021, the Wheeling Tree Board has played a vital role in managing the City’s community forest. Their work ensures that Wheeling’s trees continue to provide valuable benefits including improved air and water quality, increased property values and energy savings. Thanks to their efforts, Wheeling earned Tree City USA status through the Arbor Day Foundation in 2023 and again in 2024. The Wheeling Tree Board and the WVU Extension Office have been instrumental in securing grant funding to support these efforts. This project is funded by the USDA Forest Service. The Wheeling Tree Board encourages community involvement and welcomes inquiries. To learn more or to get involved, email [email protected].   Read the full article