Total of 77 Trees to be Planted in Downtown Wilkinsburg

The Nine Mile Run Watershed Association plans to plant 77 new trees along the Penn Avenue corridor in downtown Wilkinsburg as part of the Wilkinsburg TreeVitalize Project: Rooted in Wilkinsburg—500 Tree Initiative.

The planting will take place on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Willkinsburg Borough lot next to the Penn-Lincoln Hotel.

In a collaborative effort between TreeVitalize Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg Borough, the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. and the Nine Mile Run group, the trees will be planted in the public right-of-way as part of a plan that is both aesthetically pleasing and in tune with the most up-to-date urban forestry practices.

The new trees will intercept thousands of gallons of stormwater, help clean air, reduce summer temperatures and beautify the business district. They also will help increase revenue for business owners and reduce wear and tear on roadway and stormwater infrastructure.

Each tree will be planted in a pit allowing 60 cubic feet of growing space, and watered for the first two growing seasons after installation. The trees, which will also be selected for their ability to thrive in harsh urban environments, will be cared for by Nine Mile staff and volunteer Tree Tenders.

The 77 new trees will complement the 274 that already have been installed in Wilkinsburg with the help of more than 200 volunteers since the spring of 2011. Partners of the Wilkinsburg TreeVitalize Project: Rooted in Wilkinsburg—500 Tree Initiative hope to use the busy fall planting season to engage even more community members in their efforts.

Another fall planting will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at the empty lot next to 1036 Penn Ave.

For more information, visit http://ninemilerun.org.

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