Annual tree plantings take root in Aspinwall
The green scene continues to grow in Aspinwall.
Members and volunteers with The Aspinwall Shade Tree Commission planted 31 trees during a daylong event Oct. 29.
Aspinwall Shade Tree Commission Chairman Bruce Columbus said about 30 volunteers participated during the six hour planting mission.
The commission was formed in 2009 and monitors, manages and cares for the more than 500 borough-owned shade trees in Aspinwall.
To date, it has planted more than 150 trees in the borough through the TreeVitalize Pittsburgh program and resident requests.
TreeVitalize is a joint project of the City of Pittsburgh, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Allegheny County Parks, Tree Pittsburgh and the state Department of Conservation.
This year, the main focus was directed to Lexington Avenue, with nine new trees planted, Columbus said.
Brilliant Avenue received three new trees. Aspinwall business owner Jessica Rehling Vukmir of O’Hara praised the efforts of the shade tree members.
“They’re committed to preserving the natural beauty of the borough. They truly help enhance our beautiful little town and continue to help attract wonderful neighbors and businesses in the process. Kudos to them and their annual fall tree planting,” said Vukmir, who owns Dovecote and Noveau Designer Consignment, two separate businesses. Dovecote is located on Brilliant Avenue.
Last year, the commission planted a record 35 trees. The trees are paid for out of the borough’s shade tree budget.
“The trees planted on average are about 15 to 18 feet. The feedback has been positive,” Columbus said, noted a recent online survey conducted by the borough resulted in tree-lined streets being among the top three amenities residents mentioned they liked about Aspinwall.
“Trees are a long-term resource, and they need to be planted on a regular basis. The goal is the make Aspinwall a green community,” Columbus said.
The commission recently removed 11 dead or dying trees.
“Our program policy is any removed tree is replaced with a new tree,” Columbus said.
Columbus noted the borough lost trees overall in 2010 because the commission had to remove a “huge” number of dying trees.
“Over the last eight years we’ve had an aggressive replanting stage,” Columbus said.
Commission members, approved by borough council, are Bruce Columbus, Jack Gaddess, Elizabeth Brown, Veronica Harris and Joffy Thompson.
Members serve without compensation.
To greatly expand and diversify tree species in the borough, some trees selected for planting by the commission included; Paperbark Maple, London Plane Tree, Swamp White Oak, Redbud, Ivory Silk Lilac and Chinkapin Oak.
“I’m a steward of the community helping future residents enjoy tree-lined streets,” said Columbus, a resident of Aspinwall for 12 years.
To volunteer with the shade tree commission, email aspinwallshadetree@gmail.com
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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