Lancaster Tree Tenders. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/urban-greening/trees/
Lancaster is encouraging neighborhoods to plant and care for more trees.
by Mark Miller
The warm weather is finally here, and people throughout the Lancaster area are ready to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. When going out to enjoy these warm Spring days who doesn’t love to look around and see beautiful trees aligned perfectly alongside the roads and buildings? How about going to find a nice tree providing shade so that you can read one of your favorite books? These aren’t the only things that trees are good for here in Lancaster.
Benefits Of Trees
As of now over 6,000 trees have been planted around the busy streets of Lancaster, PA. Trees help save energy and benefit the city in plenty of ways such as:
- Reducing cooling costs
- Releasing clean oxygen
- Absorbing carbon dioxide
- Increasing the value of property.
- Reducing noise pollution by absorbing sound
- Studies show that trees provide mental and physical health benefits
All of these benefits are wonderful, but these trees will not just grow on their own. Lancaster Tree Tenders has a plan that will put all these benefits into play.
Photo by Mark Miller
Plans for Planting
Lancaster Tree Tenders has partnered with the Lancaster County Conservancy Urban Greening Program to “To increase and enhance Lancaster’s urban forest by engaging and empowering neighborhoods to plant and care for trees”. Tree Tenders is a statewide educational training program developed by, Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry, and Penn State Extension. The goal is to increase the city’s tree cover from 28% to 40% in a twenty-five year time period. To complete this goal Lancaster Tree Tenders are training city residents to plant trees within the city. Gathering together as a community will also give residents the opportunity to increase pride throughout the city of Lancaster.
Where to Plant
Space is usually limited within city areas, but there are plenty of options and ideas that Lancaster Tree Tenders offer. However, there are some things to consider before you choose the location of your tree:
- Are there overhead power lines
- Are there any underground utilities
- Is there room for the tree to grow?
- Is the location a level area?
- Is the area wet or dry?
Each of these are questions to ask yourself when you are choosing a spot to plant a tree. Plenty of soil is crucial for tree growth, and the roots need to obtain plenty of water, oxygen, and nutrients from the soil so that the tree grows to its full potential. Some trees also require more sunlight than others. So make sure to view the patterns of sunlight in the area.
Photo by Mark Miller
Caring For Your Tree
After you plant your tree it is time to make sure you take care of it. Here are some steps to follow:
- Water your tree daily
- Remove branches that are crossing one another
- Remove any dead wood
- Remove suckers that grow at the base of the tree
- Clean the area surrounding the trunk of the tree
Each of these is vital to the successful growth of your tree. A new tree must receive twenty gallons of water a week.
Photo by Mark Miller
Getting Involved
Lancaster Tree Tenders began in 2015, and every year since the program has continued to grow. It is important that the community of Lancaster takes action, and helps provide the public with plenty of trees throughout the area. The first step to get involved with Lancaster Tree Tenders is to attend their training sessions. TreeVitalize partners hold these sessions across Pennsylvania. Visit: treepennsylvania.orgto sign up for training session near you. Next, In order to plant a tree within the city limits of Lancaster, you must obtain a written permit from Jim Bower the city Arborist. (717-291-4841).
Timeline:
April 10, 1969: Application for charter of Lancaster County Conservancy filed with county.
October 1, 1970: First public meeting held at Armstrong building on Liberty Street
January 2, 1990: First property guide completed
December 5, 2000: The Conservancy’s original website goes live for the first time
2012: LIVE Green merges with the Conservancy, becoming the Urban Greening Program and allowing the Conservancy to expand its focus to include stewarding Lancaster’s urban environment.
2015: First Lancaster Tree Tending Takes Place
Key Stakeholders
Philip R. Wenger, President & CEO of Lancaster Conservancy
Wenger became the leader of the Lancaster Conservancy group in 2016. Over the last 30 years, Phil has successfully led numerous community organizations to success. Wenger preserved an additional 570 acres and re-energized the primary focus of Lancaster Conservancy around protecting those special places we need to set aside for future generations to interact with wild places.
The Lancaster Conservancy group
The Lancaster Conservancy group is seeking to restore Lancaster’s urban environment. For city residents this means more education and resources for tree planting. With the communities help we can all help make Lancaster county a better environment for the generations to come!
Lancaster Water week will be held on the first week of June this year! Come out to celebrate the amazing streams and rivers of Lancaster County! These rivers and streams are the pride and joy of Lancaster county. They benefit our local economy and agriculture in so many ways. To protect these waters we want to come together as a community!
The Lancaster conservancy 2019 annual meeting is on Thursday, May 9th. This meeting will be held at the Farm at Eagles Ridge from 6pm-8pm. Join us to celebrate the beginning of Spring. Light beverages and food will be provided as we discuss our plans for the year.
Resources
All About Trees. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.saveitlancaster.com/resources/all-about-trees/street-trees/
Lancaster Tree Tenders. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/urban-greening/trees/
Volunteering & Tree Tenders®. (2017, July 25). Retrieved from https://treepennsylvania.org/volunteering-tree-tenders/