Don’t Hug a Tree, Hug a Tree Tender!
October was a great month for me. Not only did the Phillies secure the title of World Series Champions and I was there to see it, but on the same evening, I completed the Tree Tenders course given at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). With both in the classroom and on site training, we learned about the challenges of urban trees, how to plant and care for them, which species are most appropriate for city living conditions and our climate, and most importantly how to be a community organizer and create local volunteer groups to plant trees throughout the community.
The program was instituted by Treevitalize, launched in 2004 in Southeastern, PA in response to the loss of trees throughout Philadelphia due to age, disease, and resident removal (see my last blog). Their goal was to plant 20,000 trees in the city, which they have already achieved. With the help of many local Tree Tender groups, there was 1,000 trees planted in the last 2 weekend alone!
With grant money from the state, the trees are free as is the process of cutting cement to create the tree pit. The only other pieces to the puzzle are the volunteers who help on planting days. So, whether you want a tree in front of your house or are willing to give up a few hours once or twice a year (there are organized plantings in the spring and fall) you should sign up to take the Tree Tenders class- It’s Free! The next session offered is:
WINTER 2009
Philadelphia County
PHS, 100 North 20th St., 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Saturday, January 10 & 17
8:30 am to 1:30 pm