Cold weather did not deter more than 25 volunteers — including Penn Hills acting police Chief Jason Bonace and his wife, Michele — from joining the Penn Hills Shade Tree Commission in planting 15 additional trees Nov. 8 along Rodi Road.

“We have a granddaughter that’s due in a month,” Bonace said. “And I thought, 10 to 12 years from now, when we’re driving on Rodi, we can say, ‘Hey, your grandma and grandpa planted that.’ ”

For its third planting on Rodi Road since its start in 2017, the commission again partnered with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s TreeVitalize project to bring the total number of trees planted on Rodi Road to 47.

Kathy Raborn, landscape designer and chairperson of the commission, said the commission has fulfilled its original goal of beautifying Penn Hills’ main business district through the planting of trees and the new entrance garden.

“I would like to say that we have reached our goal for this road,” she said. “Imagine how these trees will change the appearance of this street in five to 10 years. It is our hope that by beautifying this main business corridor that we will attract some desirable stores and restaurants.”

Penn Hills resident and volunteer Aneeke Jefferson said she is particularly proud of the entrance garden, which used to be a deserted gas station.

“I love seeing what we have done,” Jefferson said. “Whenever we drive past it with my kids or anyone, we’re like, ‘We did that!’ ”

TreeVitalize handled the selection, purchase and delivery of the trees, mulch and stakes. Species planted included American basswood, redbud, honey locust, Japanese lilac and yellowwood.

Now that they have beautified the main road, the commission and its volunteers have numerous upcoming projects to look forward to, including their annual Arbor Day celebration and their application to receive the Tree City USA Growth Award for the seventh year in a row.

Regarding long-term goals, Raborn said the commission wants to explore, through an environmental justice framework, what they can do for Penn Hills’ different neighborhoods.

“We have a lot of very unique, diverse neighborhoods,” Raborn said. “What’s good for one neighborhood may not be good for another neighborhood.”

For example, a small park on Ross Road with a basketball court and a couple of play structures needed just seven trees, which the commission planted last fall.

“Since we planted those seven trees, Penn Hills Department of Public Works has repaved that basketball court, and the Penn Hills Library has told us that they’re interested in doing programs there,” Raborn said. “So when we do projects, it brings attention to neglected areas.”

Raborn credited the success of the commission to its many volunteers, including stewards who check in on and maintain the trees and gardens planted by the commission, and to the municipal government.

“They passed a resolution to our ordinance that states that they will take care of any tree that we plant on Rodi Road and accept liability,” Raborn said. “That means they will keep the tree watered for two years, and they’ll also provide pruning by a certified arborist for the life of the tree, including when the tree needs to come down.”

Brian Crooks, urban forestry manager at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, said the TreeVitalize project has helped plant more than 40,000 trees since 2008.

“Trees are also being planted today in Braddock Hills and Harrison Township, so it’s a great day for trees all around the county,” Crooks said. “We couldn’t do all this without people like you volunteering over and over to plant trees in your community.”

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