In November 2026, West Chester Borough inaugurated the West Chester Tree Trail, a self-guided view of 11 notable species selected by the WC Tree Commission.

Why, particularly in built-up areas like the Borough, do we care about trees? See some thoughts on the Borough page and at Living Landscapes on our site, and especially the internal link there to Benefits of Trees. To quote from the latter page,

Trees … retain soil and moisture, spread shade, remove carbon from the atmosphere, and provide food and shelter for innumerable species of animals, from tiny wasp larvae to chunky caterpillars, from squirrels to eagles.…

Trees cool asphalt, enhance the attraction of city streets and yards, and soothe our daily stresses. In parks, they create an outdoor haven for nature and people to flourish in; and they offer the esthetic inspiration of any work of art….

The Borough tour site advises us :

Please take an hour or two to travel the West Chester Tree Trail. Consider who planted the tree, and why? Was it a contractor hired by the Borough a few years back? A pioneering 19 century horticulturalist? Maybe just an 18 century squirrel that buried an acorn. What does the bark look like? What do the leaves smell like? How long did it take to grow? How has the town and the world changed since it’s been alive? Can we, as a community, continue to make space for them? Only with understanding and respect for our trees – so go walk the Tree Trail!