Franklin Park recognizes remarkable trees

Trees are a testament to time, some surviving since the American Revolution or when George Washington was just a boy.

It’s quite remarkable.

That being said, a new effort in Franklin Park is officially recognizing these arboreal ancestors as such.

The Remarkable Tree Program was created by the borough’s Environmental Advisory Council after members learned about a 1988 Bicentennial Trees of Allegheny County Book, said Stephanie Gundling, who chairs the EAC. The book listed 16 trees in Franklin Park.

“The EAC subsequently did some reconnaissance to see which of these treasured trees still existed today,” Gundling said, “which begged the question as to how many more were out there that had yet to be discovered. This sparked the idea by EAC members to start a remarkable trees program in Franklin Park where people could nominate a tree in the borough that was, in fact, remarkable.”

Five winners were selected from nominations submitted in December, with first place going to a white ash off Trimble Road, owned by Francie and Alan Cech. The tree is measured to be approximately 275 years old, based on its circumference of 14.5 feet and a diameter of 55 inches, according to a formula by the International Society of Aboriculture.

“The age of this tree is remarkable, let alone the stories it could tell of life and change in Franklin Park,” Francie wrote in her nomination.

The tree is one of the larger ones remaining in the region after the emerald ash borer infestation that wreaked havoc in Western Pennsylvania circa 2007. The Cechs said a treatment is applied every year on the white ash by Davey Tree to keep the pests at bay.

“Davey has been treating this majestic ash for over 15 years. With a 55-inch plus diameter, it is one of the larger ash trees that Davey Tree North Pittsburgh maintains,” said company representative Vince Nadji.

Davey professionals estimate the tree at between 175 and over 200 years old.

“We are privileged to have been stewards of this remarkable tree since moving to Franklin Park 40 years ago,” Francie Cech said.

‘The King’

Another remarkable tree is a white oak on Dalton Drive, estimated to be 202 years old with a circumference of 127 inches, owned and nominated by Christine and Dennis Huweart. She and her husband have lived at the property for only five years, but the tree is a prized possession.

“Its shape and multiple limbs are just as beautiful year-round, and when the leaves have fallen from the birch tree that somewhat blocks our summer view of the oak, the tree stands out and shows its best side. It meets all of the criteria listed … including arboricultural perfection,” according to her description.

They nickname their tree the King, as Christine said the oak is often referred to as the king of trees.

“We love that tree. We have a two-story deck. if you’re sitting on that deck, especially in the winter, when they lose their leaves, it’s majestic,” she said. “There’s a lot of trees in our neighborhood and just as big and just as beautiful.”

Other winners are a scarlet oak on Fairlawn Scarlet Drive, estimated to be 214 years old; a red oak on Ben Franklin Drive, age approximately 172 years old; and a dawn redwood on Alydar Drive estimated at 43 years.

The World Conservation Union has classified the dawn redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides as “critically endangered” because of human encroachment.

Various factors go into determining if a tree is remarkable.

“Well, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Gundling said. “There were many similar programs like this one that we found throughout the region, but we voted to go with the word ‘remarkable’ so that emphasis was not only limited to age or size, but could include other qualities like shape, historical or cultural significance, wildlife value (such as) breeding or nesting site, and role in the ecosystem.”

‘Treasures we have right here’

Long-term goals of the Remarkable Tree Program are to promote the importance of the borough’s tree canopy; promote stewardship to ensure sustainability of the canopy; foster community appreciation; and to celebrate the many social, economic, environmental and human health benefits of trees. Other goals include educational awareness on preservation, conservation, maintenance and planting practices.

While the program received just a handful of nominations in 2023, more have been received since the EAC published the results this fall, according to Gundling.

“It’s been exciting to learn what treasures we have right here in our neighborhood that we’ve driven past so many times in our lives and never truly seen,” she said.

Nomination forms are available at the borough office on West Ingomar Road and by visiting the EAC tab via www.franklinparkborough.us. The winner will be awarded a $100 gift certificate to Soergel Orchards.

Gundling said to look for upcoming EAC efforts including Green-up Day on March 22 and Roadside Litter Cleanup on April 26.

“Last year at our Green-up Day, our team of volunteers completed a riparian planting where we planted 100 native buttonbush and silky willow along Little Sewickley Creek in Acorn Park,” she said. “Little Sewickley Creek is designated by the state as a high-quality stream.”