Spring has arrived, and local residents are asked to lend their green thumbs to help plant trees in their neighborhoods.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is hoping volunteers can help plant more than 900 trees in the Philadelphia area including several neighborhoods in South Philly. Events will take place from April 7-14. No experience is needed to volunteer to plant trees.
More than 65 PHS Tree Tenders groups, neighborhood volunteers and community organizations will get their hands dirty at the semi-annual initiative that is part of PHS’s ongoing mission to grow the Philadelphia region’s tree canopy and promote healthier, greener communities.
During this year’s events, there are two ways volunteers can help out, including the sorting and distribution of trees from April 7-11 and the planting of trees from April 11-14.
Sorting and distribution will take place at the Philabundance warehouse. During this time, volunteers, led by PHS staff, help unload over 900 bare root trees, sort and assist in distributing these trees to neighborhood Tree Tenders groups. To sign up to volunteer during a Tree Distribution Day, visit https://phs.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/phstrees/.
Once the trees are distributed, neighborhoods will plant the trees in designated areas. No prior expertise is necessary for volunteers to participate in the tree-planting process, which usually takes three hours at the specified location. A PHS Tree Tenders group leader will be present at all planting sites to guide and encourage volunteers. Volunteers are asked to bring hand sanitizer, gloves, closed-toed shoes and a water bottle. Planting tools such as shovels, pickaxes, brooms and garbage bags will be supplied on site. Participants are also advised to dress appropriately as plantings will take place rain or shine. To sign up, visit https://phsonline.org/tree.
To learn more or to find tree-planting locations, visit PHSOnline.org/programs/tree-programs/get-involved.
