920 Trees planted!!!

In September 2021, an EF 2 Tornado ripped a two-mile path of destruction through the neighborhoods and schools in the Fort Washington and Maple Glen area. The tornado destroyed upwards of 25,000 mature trees. 

A few days after the extent of the devastation was realized, a group of Upper Dublin citizens decided to take action by reaching out to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). They took classes on tree planting, care, and maintenance. They completed the required fieldwork, testing, and classroom hours, and upon graduation, the group began the PHS Tree Tender chapter in Upper Dublin. Since the fall of 2021, the small group has grown to fifteen committee members and hundreds of volunteers.  

Over the past four years, the Upper Dublin Tree Tenders (UDTT) have received $70,000 in grants and planted 920 trees for residents in tornado-affected areas, including public areas: FORT Swim Club, Fort Washington and Jarrettown Elementary Schools, Upper Dublin High School, Spark Fields, and Mondauk Park. In addition to planting trees for residents, the group has educated community members on the basics of tree care, provided tutorials on tree planting, and continued caring for and maintaining the trees.

The UD Tree Tenders have provided educational events for students in the Upper Dublin community. UDTT led a tree planting at Jarrettown Elementary, where kindergarten students assisted in planting a bare-root tree. They also trained members of the Upper Dublin High School National Honor Society and Project Based Learning class on tree planting & maintenance. 

Note the timeline below that outlines the impact that the Upper Dublin Tree Tenders have had on the community:

67 Trees 

• Planted 67 bare-root trees in the Fort Washington Community of Eliger Park 
• Provided tutorials on tree planting, mulching, watering, and basic tree care to community members

123 Trees

• Planted over 100 bare root trees in the hardest tornado-hit neighborhoods of Upper Dublin
• Planted several dozen trees at Fort Washington Elementary School
• Provided tutorials on tree planting, mulching, watering, and basic tree care to community members.
• Organized a tree watering and tending system for over 30+ trees at FWES

179 Trees

• Planted bare-root trees in Stuart Creek Farm, Fort Washington, and Maple Glen
• Assisted homeowners with planting 
• Provided instruction to the community on tree care and maintenance.

275 Trees 

• Awarded a $40,000 grant from the Arbor Day Foundation and Federal Express 
• The grant money was used to hold a tree giveaway on Joel Drive and the Bell Lane/Campus Drive area of Maple Glen
• Collaboration with the Upper Dublin Township and Shade Tree Commission
• Planted bare root trees at Spark Park
• Planted 40 2-3" caliper trees at the Upper Dublin High School
• Community volunteers assisted with the planting 
• Provided tutorials on tree planting, mulching, watering, and basic tree care to community members
• Participated in the EPAB’s Environmental Open House event

24 Trees 

• Community bare root tree planting at Fort Washington Elementary
• Held a tree-tending event to maintain the newly planted trees
• Community volunteers assisted with the planting. 

Tree Care and Maintenance

• Weeded, mulched, and pruned newly planted trees at Fort Washington Elementary, Upper Dublin High School, and Spark Drive
• Trained Upper Dublin High School National Honors Society students on tree care, mulching, and weeding
• Extended the tree watering program to include newly planted trees
• UDTTs held a tree-planting demonstration at Jarrettown Elementary. The students of JES assisted with planting and watering the bare-root tree. 
• Participated in the EPAB’s Environmental Open House event

252 Trees 

• Awarded a $12,000 grant from State Farm and the Arbor Day Foundation
• The grant money was used to purchase trees for a tree giveaway for Old Fort Washington, Joel Drive, Van Sant, and Campus/Bell Lane tornado-impacted neighborhoods. 
• Provided tutorials on tree planting, native trees, mulching, watering, and basic tree care to community members
• Held a tree planting at Stuart Creek Farms in collaboration with local company, TRC insights

52 Trees 

• Awarded $18,000 grant  from Ally Financial and the Arbor Day Foundation
• 4ft to 15ft trees planted at the Upper Dublin High School (UDHS)
• Tree Care Day at UDHS to weed & mulch previously planted trees