TreeVitalize to Offer Tree Care Classes in Southeastern Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. – TreeVitalize, a partnership to restore tree cover in the five-county region in Southeastern Pennsylvania, will be offering classes this spring to educate residents about planting and caring for trees as early as April 27th.

The training course is designed for lay people and experts alike, and will offer nine or 13 hours of classroom and field training covering: tree biology; urban stresses; tree identification; pruning; root care; fundraising; media outreach; volunteer management and working with local governments.

"We know that the TreeVitalize movement will be powered by volunteers who are passionate about restoring tree cover in the five-county region, educated about how to properly plant and take care of trees, and inspired to become advocates with their neighbors in their communities," Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said.

DCNR spearheads the TreeVitalize project with many public and private partners. The training was designed and is being taught by staff from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Students are expected to volunteer time to community tree planting projects in exchange for training. Groups also may qualify for free or discounted trees upon completing the program.

TreeVitalize aims to educate as many as 2,000 citizens in tree planting and care over the next three years. The $8 million program also has a goal of planting more than 20,000 shade trees in neighborhoods in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

DCNR oversees TreeVitalize and has partnered with: the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Aqua Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Eagles; PECO, an Exelon Co.; U.S. Forest Service; Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; Morris Arboretum; William Penn Foundation; Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association; and county and local governments.

Registration for all classes is required. Classes are open to all residents of the five-county region. For more information about the classes, contact Mindy Maslin at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at (215) 988-8844 or register online at http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/.

For more information on TreeVitalize visit http://www.treevitalize.net/.