Volunteers are being sought to help plant trees in New Kensington on two dates in November.
Trees are scheduled to be planted Nov. 1 at the new JFK playground on Fourth Avenue and in the median on Campbell Avenue, and Nov. 5 in Fairmont Park off Fairmont Drive.
The plantings are part of a project by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in New Kensington that has included tree education classes and an inventory of trees in public spaces in the city. It’s being paid for with a $125,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, which also will pay for the same effort in Jeannette next year.
Between 25 and 30 people attended two of the “tree tender” classes earlier this year, said Brian Crooks, a forester with the conservancy.
“Both of our tree tender classes were well received,” Crooks said. “There is good interest in trees in New Kensington and our future events.”
The inventory found 1,080 trees on public property, such as along streets and in public parks, Crooks said. Trees on private property were not counted.
While many species were counted, maples and honey locust were dominant, Crooks said. A notable find was a very large ash tree, which is unusual because many of those trees are dying because of the impact of the invasive emerald ash borer.
“It’s rare to find a relatively healthy, fully foliated ash tree,” he said. “That was exciting.”
Most existing trees in good shape
Crooks said more than 75% of the trees in parks were in good condition, while two-thirds of those along streets were in good condition.
“I was very impressed with how good condition the trees were in overall,” Crooks said.
An analysis of the benefits of the trees will be included in a final report, he said.
Both upcoming planting days will run from 9 a.m. to noon. A total of 17 trees will be planted at the two locations Nov. 1, 10 at JFK playground and seven on Campbell Avenue, while 24 will be planted on the Greenbriar Avenue side of Fairmont Park on Nov. 5.
Crooks said the trees on Campbell Avenue will replace some that have died or were damaged by a tornado in 2020.
Most of those going in at Fairmont Park are intended to be a buffer between homes and the park, providing privacy for residents who earlier this year expressed concerns about the park being used for playing disc golf.
Resident Jim Jackson, who lives adjacent to Fairmont Park, said he still is moving forward with plans for a disc golf course at the park. Others have been using the five baskets he placed in the park.
Jackson said he hopes the trees will address his neighbors’ concerns.
“We’re just trying to find a good resolution that keeps everyone happy,” he said.
Anyone interested in volunteering can register by contacting Alicia Wehrle, the conservancy’s community forestry project coordinator, at 412-586-2386 or by email at awehrle@paconserve.org.
Just bring yourself
Crooks said volunteers will not need to bring anything, as tools, safety equipment and gloves will be provided. Each day will start with a planting demonstration. Breakfast items will be provided in the morning, and a lunch will follow at the end.
“Just show up ready to have a good day, and we’ll take the rest from there,” Crooks said. “We plant rain or shine. No matter what the weather is, we’ll be out there to plant.”
More trees, about 20, are expected to be planted in late March or April in New Kensington.
Late fall and early spring, when trees are dormant, is the best time to plant them, Crooks said.
“It may not be as good for us as people to plant them, but it’s a less stressful time for the trees,” he said.
