Sugar maples to line Jenner Township highway

Fourteen sugar maple trees will be planted in Jenner Township in October to replace the controversial sycamore trees cut down as part of a road construction project.

The state Department of Transportation said it would spend $8,000 to develop a grove on a one-acre lot near the Cover one-room schoolhouse on Speigle Road.

“We’re pleased with the outcome,” PennDOT spokesman Roger Dodson said. “We’ve been able to reach a pretty good consensus.”

Amid opposition from residents, PennDOT announced in April it would scale back plans to cut 33 sycamores along Route 985 that had been targeted for safety concerns.

Residents calling themselves “Save Our Sycamores” suggest-ed the trees were planted after World War I to honor veterans.

The plan to harvest the trees is part of a $2.5 million road project to upgrade pavement, shoulders and drainage on a 4-mile stretch of the highway.

The work will be complet-ed in the fall.

PennDOT will replace each of the sycamores that was cut down with a sugar maple, Dodson said.

Township officials are putting the controversy behind them.

“We’re hoping this issue is finally resolved,” supervisors Chairman Jim Henry said.

“I’m all for saving trees in the right places,” said Supervisor Keith Barnick. “I think this is a good compromise for the people.”