Do you love trees and want to help keep Warren County verdant? The Warren County Shade Tree Commission needs two new members to help regulate, plant and care for shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery in county parks, county road rights of way and other county-owned lands.

County Freeholders (now the Board of County Commissioners) established the Warren County Shade Tree Commission in 1982 and its volunteer members are tasked with ensuring the proper growth, care and protection of greenery on county-owned land and along 253 miles of county roadways.

The Shade Tree Commission meets nine times a year with other tasks taking place outside of meetings. Members receive training and attend the state Shade Tree Federation Convention annually to maintain education standards as required by the state.

Other Commission tasks have included running an Arbor Day essay and drawing contest at schools in Warren County, overseeing pruning of trees by utility companies, and developing a Community Forestry Management Plan for Warren County.

Residents interested in filling the two vacancies on the Shade Tree Commission should fill out an application, which can be found on the Warren County website's Volunteer Opportunities page.

White oak tree planted in Garret D. Wall Park in memory of Shade Tree Commission charter member Elwood J. Bray, Jr.