Everyone loves trees, especially us city dwellers. We lust for trees and as a general rule, see tree lined blocks as an added value to our real estate. According to The Forest Service, a department of the USDA, “Improving a city's urban tree canopy can have numerous benefits, including reducing summer peak temperatures and air pollution, enhancing property values, providing wildlife habitat, providing aesthetic benefits, and improving social ties among neighbors. A robust tree canopy can also attract businesses and residents.”
We reached out to ISA Certified Arborist Jacelyn Blank to find out more about how we can line our streets and neighborhoods with beautiful leafy trees. She is a co-founder and co-leader of Philly Tree People (PTP), a federally recognized not-for-profit PHS Tree Tender organization who has been assisting property owners in the 19125 and 19134 neighborhoods of Philadelphia for over 14 years. PTP has facilitated the planting of over 2,000 trees throughout the Kensington area since its inception in 2007. She and her fellow co-founder Nykia Perez Kibler provided us with a plethora of links, information and action steps to getting more trees on the streets of Philadelphia.
While a “good” tree canopy coverage (the area of land shaded by trees) is considered to be 30% of land area, the city of Philadelphia only has 20% coverage and as little as 2.5% in some neighborhoods.” Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (who we can thank for all those amazing pop ups we so enjoy), recently shared “... the Greater Philadelphia region still needs more trees.
So why aren’t there more trees in Philadelphia, and what can we do about it? The Philadelphia Tree Canopy Assessment 2018 , which is the catalyst for the creation of the Philly Tree Plan, spells out the lost canopy coverage over the 10 year datat collection cycle. Take a look to learn where we lost coverage and recommendations on how to improve our canopy.
5 Things you can do to bring Trees into your life
1) Buy a house and sign up for a free tree to be planted on your sidewalk. If you are nervous about tree roots interfering with your underground pipes, species that thrive in city environments are specifically chosen for the program. Meaning, these flowering and leafy trees are selected because the root system is only 2-4 feet, and pipes are 6 feet underground- no interference! There are 3 ways you can request a street tree.
Reach out to Philadelphia Parks and Recreations (PP&R) to get a street tree. This is a free service provided by the city of PP&R. Be patient as the program is light on funding, and therefore it may take time for them to plant the tree.
You can also apply for a street tree through Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Tree Tender organization. This program is also free through state funded grants. Any property owner throughout the city of Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs can apply through this program and typically will receive a street tree (if they are approved after inspection) within six months of applying.
Hire a city approved, qualified certified arborist. Be sure they are International Society of Arboriculture Certified. There are many landscape crews who will plant a tree, but if they aren’t certified, the tree may be improperly planted which ultimately lead to premature death. To find a qualified contractor email Street.Trees@live.com
2) Have a yard? There’s a tree for that! Each spring and fall, Tree Philly distributes over 1,000 trees including fruit and flowering trees!
3) Attend your local RCO meetings. RCO stands for Registered Civic Organization and the residents of that RCO are able to respond to development proposals with support and suggestions. One of those suggestions can be yours, to plant trees and plan for green space as part of the project. Sometimes that suggestion can even turn into a requirement. Type your address into this map , check “Registered Community Organizations” to the left and find out who your RCO is. You can even go down a fun rabbit hole and check the “PPR Tree Inventory” option to see what street trees are nearby in your neighborhood.
4) Touch base with your local developers about incorporating trees into their plan. You can get to know them by attending RCO meetings. If you see them on site, give them a wave and introduce yourself. Ask if they would consider being a voice for street trees during their utility planning process or making room for trees to flourish on their properties. First and foremost, they have to be introduced to the idea by someone who can inspire them or educate them early enough in the process. Don’t be shy. If a friendly, albeit concerned, neighbor or advocate sticks their neck out for a conversation, trees have a better chance at being a consideration in new developments. Developers will listen openly to anyone who’s not complaining.
5) Donate to, volunteer for, or support
Philly Orchard Project (POP). Since 2007, POP has worked with community-based groups and volunteers to plan and plant orchards filled with useful and edible plants in neighborhoods across the city.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society PHS was founded in 1827. PHS believes that gardening and horticulture belong to everyone. Their Tree Tenders Program works with volunteer-based community groups to plant trees. PHS has trained more than 5,000 people who have gone on to lead volunteers in planting over 1,300 trees each year.
Sign up for Tree Philly’s newsletter. Get information about their Community Yard Tree Giveaway grant, tree care tips, job opportunities and other tree news!
Contact the PHS Tree Tender Advisory Committee who are lobbying for the inclusion of protection of trees within our laws throughout the city. PTP has been on the Tree Tender Advisory Council since its inception, the tree tenders group bring issues to the table, so if you are not already involved with and volunteering with your local tree tenders committee, email them, you'll get a good handle on issues being discussed across the committee and can bring up issues with your local tree tenders members to get your agenda on the table, also, not all tree tenders groups have a seat at the table except for the most active, largest plantings, etc. Want to know you your local Tree Tender is? Take a look at the PHS Tree Tenders Map to find out. PSA: Tree tenders are always looking for dedicated volunteers!
We hope that when you stroll the streets, duck into the shade from the canopy of our trees or stop and smell the flowering blooms, you are inspired to speak up and encourage others to keep the street trees and programs running. We need each other.
Fishtown is a tight-knit neighborhood, known for its mix of generational Philadelphians, artists, families, and young adults that enjoy the nightlife. Stroll the streets and you will instantly make new friends with newcomers and oldtimers crowding their stoops.