Mt. Airy streetscape project offers up free trees

West Mt. Airy Neighbors is teaming up with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for its annual streetscaping project. Homeowners can request a tree free of charge and volunteers — also known as Tree Tenders — will come to plant them. 

Since 2007, WMAN volunteers have planting 433 trees, 60 of which were planted last year, according to Carol Graeber of WMAN. Anywhere from 10 to 50 volunteers participate in the spring and fall tree plantings. 

“This initiative is an important part of the effort to preserve and to increase the urban forest. Many of our wonderful Mt Airy trees are old, damaged and diseased; we need to replace the trees that we are losing,” said Graeber, adding that entire blocks on Lincoln Drive that used to be covered with shaded trees are largely barren now. 

It is “so important for our quality of life in Mt. Airy,” she continued. 

The street trees, which are provided by PHS, are “bare root trees,” making them easier to plant. WMAN provides tools and training to interested volunteers. 

The group will be planting 13 trees in the neighborhood on April 26. Applications for the next set of plantings, to take place in October, are also due that day. 

Residents interested in volunteering or signing up for a free tree can contact Carol Graeber at cegraeber7215@gmail.com or (215) 901-7654.