Fox Chapel to host planting of 1,000 tree seedlings for Arbor Day weekend

A new opportunity to connect with nature will soon take root in Fox Chapel.

The borough and its park commission have partnered with Keystone 10 Million Trees to acquire 1,000 seedlings for a tree planting in celebration of Arbor Day, which is April 28.

The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership brings together more than 215 national, regional, state and local agencies; conservation organizations; outdoor enthusiasts; businesses; and citizens committed to improving Pennsylvania’s communities, economy and ecology, according to the group.

Its campaign was launched in 2018 with the goal of planting 10 million trees by 2025.

Fox Chapel is one of its newest partners. The borough’s inaugural partnership planting is set for April 29.

“This is the first formal working with (Keystone),” said Wes Posvar, park commission chairman. “This is at least three times, maybe four times bigger (than other plantings we’ve done), and it’s involving lots of volunteers. We’re also getting schoolchildren involved.

“It’s going to be an exciting event for not just Fox Chapel, but the general community because our parks are enjoyed by the whole region.”

Volunteers are asked to meet at 10 a.m. at the borough building to have doughnuts, pick up seedlings and be assigned to an area.

Seedlings are only a foot or two tall and come in a small pot.

Organizers recommend participants bring a shovel, a mallet, gloves, water, insect repellent and to dress appropriately.

“I don’t know if 10 people are going to come or if 100 people are going to come,” said Jeff Cohen, park commission member and planting coordinator. “The idea was we’ve got free trees. We’ve got volunteers. Let’s go out and do something together and make a difference. Throw donuts into the mix. Get your kids involved. That kind of deal. That’s the idea.”

The park commission and Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy have conducted tree plantings at Scott Park and Riding Meadow Park in previous years.

Mayor Walter A. Scott III said about 100 trees were planted in each park through donations collected by the conservancy.

Some of the new seedlings will be planted at Riding Meadow as well as Salamander Park.

“I think it’s important because we want to plant more and more trees, and it takes volunteers,” Scott said. “If we get more volunteers, it would make it go easier. Last year, we were doing (plantings) with less volunteers, and it was really a lot of work for people. I think it’s great that we’re going to get more and more people involved. It was donations last year that funded all of the planting.”

Park usage has increased significantly because of the pandemic, as people were encouraged to do more outdoor activities.

Posvar said the new plantings will not only provide shade from the summer sun, but bolster the borough’s stream bank restoration efforts.

“This is also building for the future,” Posvar said. “Many of these trees are being planted to help control storm water during storm water events. … This will not only beautify but strengthen the stream banks against flood waters.”

More information is posted on the borough website at fox-chapel.pa.us.

People can register for the planting online. There is no deadline to register.