The Marple Shade Tree Committee provided 13 bare root trees and watering buckets this spring for Marple Gardens Park.
The neighbors are now providing H20 and TLC.
Youngsters through octogenarians from Ann Road, Cherry Hill Lane, James Road and Licia Drive have adopted the trees to properly water them during the summer and early fall. The project requires a weekly commitment of approximately 45 minutes.
“I thought ‘how can I do this myself” so I decided to go out and try to find some help,” said committee member Marianne Price. “I went house to house and easily found enough volunteers.”
Designated in 2007 as a Tree City USA, Marple bought 50 trees earlier this year to plant in selected spots throughout the township. The trees, typically $50 each, were purchased for $25 through the TreeVitalize program of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
The saplings, steadied with stakes and straps, were temporarily placed, or “heeled-in,” at Greenbank Farm. With the help of its members, volunteers from Crum Creek Neighbors and commissioners John Butler (D-2) and John Lucas (R-4), the committee later moved them to the Malin Road tot lot, Marple Gardens and New Ardmore Avenue parks, South Marple Little League, circle at New Ardmore Avenue and Clover Road and grounds of the township building/library.
The volunteers follow specific instructions. The 5-gallon buckets, placed on wooden slats near the base of the tree, are filled with an equal amount of water, which slowly drains through the small holes drilled in the bottom.The process is postponed if rain totaling an inch or more falls within the week and volunteers are asked to make arrangements for vacation periods.
Each tree is tied with a yellow ribbon to mark the name of its tender. The honey locust near the parking lot receives attention from 10-year-old Kristen Denoncour, a student at St. Anastasia School.
“I play in the park a lot,” she said. “Watering the tree will help the environment.”
The balance of the trees have been adopted by June Costello, Jillian Foster, Megan Foster, Michael Foster, Bea Hansell, Meghan Lowry, Colleen McIntyre, Dan Mangano, Mary Anne O’Halloran, Lexi Schlater, Liam Schlater and Dot Southrey. The volunteers will be recognized later this year with certificates of appreciation from the commissioners.
“Marianne told us ‘the trees need you,'” said Mrs. Hansell. “We love the park and want them to flourish.”
The Shade Tree Committee is in need of residents to adopt trees in other locations. For more information or to volunteer, contact Mrs. Price at karlprice@msn.com.
