There is no doubt that the landscape of Newtown Square has changed dramatically over the last few years. And many will argue that there’s more hardscaping than landscaping going on these days. While the unprecedented growth of new housing developments and new businesses helps to support our local economy, there is also a lot of work being done to ensure our commitment to a positive impact on the environment through
the protection, conservation, management, promotion and use of the finite natural resources located within the Township.
This past August, Newtown Township, along with the Shade Tree Commission and the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), announced a new initiative to increase the number of shade trees planted along our township’s streets within the right-of-way. And thanks to an impressive joint effort by these groups and the township’s Public Works Department, phase one of their Street Tree Program was rolled out on Saturday, November 9th.
This multi-phase initiative is designed to increase the number of shade trees planted along our township’s streets. “Street trees can improve neighborhood esthetics and increase property values,” said Trish Adams, Chair of the Shade Tree Commission. “They also provide environmental benefits to the community by cooling hot pavement in the summer and helping to mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff.”
The committees began by gathering to pinpoint select neighborhoods in the township where street trees were most needed. In particular, the first phase was selected because of the need to place trees upland of Foxes Run, an important stream in our community. Other considerations are for areas where the tree canopy had been lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive wood-boring beetle from Asia responsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees in North America.
Sheila O’Sullivan-Feeney serves as Chair of the EAC. She explained, “For phase one, we offered the residents along Winding Way and Beechwood Roads the opportunity to receive a native tree for planting along their street.” Sheila added that this first “test” effort purposely took place in a relatively small area of the community so that the logistics could be worked out. The plan from there is to expand the program on a larger scale.
Getting homeowners on board was a grassroots effort consisting of emailing residents, going door to door and mailing postcards. “We all worked really hard to reach out to our neighbors and educate them on the benefits of planting trees in their neighborhood,” Sheila explained. “The best part is that the cost of the trees themselves was covered under our initiative.” Residents were asked to contribute just $40 per tree to help offset supply costs
and commit to providing care for the tree by watering it regularly for the first two years. Participating homeowners selected the tree they wanted to plant: poplar, birch, maple, oak, sycamore and dogwood.
In all, 39 new street trees were planted in a well-coordinated effort by the Shade Tree Commission, the EAC and Newtown Township. The township provided 10″-12″ tall native shade trees, supplies such as stakes and ties, gator bags, deer protection and mulch, delivered the trees to each property, and assisted with preparing and planting at the site. Rob Vannicolo, Vice Chair of Shade Tree Commission and owner of Vannicolo Landscaping and Tree Service, was instrumental in this project. Rob and his crew pre~dug all the holes for the trees and assisted with planting as well.
Supervisors Leonard Altieri and Tina Roberts Lightcap were there to lend their helping hands. “I am grateful to be a part of this very important initiative,” Leonard said. “We are so appreciative of everyone who helped make this project possible.” Tina echoed Leonard’s sentiments. “Planting 39 trees in one day was a huge undertaking, but it was worth it,” she said. “We had so many volunteers from the EAC, the Shade Tree Commission, the township, local business owners and students from our Marple Newtown School District. It was a day that brought our community together and solidified our commitment to our neighborhoods.”
Notable volunteers from our community were Dan Flynn of Flynn Tree Services, Carol Wagner, John Rice, Cindy Mehallow, Joe Pinto, Janet Krevenas and David Galluch. They dedicated their time and talents to this effort and deserve our thanks.
Now that phase one is complete, the committee is busy planning phase two, Street Tree Plantings for 2025 – Stay tuned!