As part of the local Earth Day celebration at Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, TreePhilly distributed yard trees to 42 families in the greater Southwest area.
According to Erica Smith Fichman, TreePhilly Program Manager, there are a number of varieties of large trees like the River Birch, Black Gum, and Willow Oak.
Trees add more than beauty and shade to a neighborhood, asserted arborist Smith Fichman. They are vital to our environment, generating the oxygen we breathe, conserve water, reduce flooding risks, preserve the soil, and support wildlife.
The giveaway was arranged in cooperation with the Friends of Heinz Wildlife Refuge (FOHR), the management of Heinz NWR, and the Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition.
In anticipation of the fall 2019 tree giveaway, visit http://treephilly.org/s19trees/ to look at pictures of the various types of trees that might be available, view their appearance, growth patterns, and designs of how the should be placed relative to buildings, and how they should be cared for.
Heinz Refuge has great spring and summer nature programs for the entire family, plus many volunteer opportunities. It is located at 8601 Lindbergh Blvd. and can be reached at johnheinznwr@fws.gov or 215-365-3118.
