More than 120 volunteers come to Harrison to plant trees
Kathleen Rankin didn’t let the frosty weather keep her from doing some good for her community on Saturday morning.
She was among more than 120 volunteers who turned out for a tree-planting event in Harrison, despite temperatures that hovered in the 30s.
“I especially wanted to help plant trees at the (Highlands) middle school so my kids can grow up with them,” Rankin said.
Sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and TreeVitalize, the township was awarded 51 trees for this round of planting, bringing the total to 140 that have been put in since 2016.
TreeVitalize works to protect and replace the regional tree canopy. The group has planted more than 29,000 trees across the Pittsburgh area since 2008.
On Saturday, 10-foot oak trees were planted along Union Avenue that are expected to climb to 40 feet or taller, the conservancy’s Alicia Wehrle said. Trees were placed near the homes of residents who requested them, she said.
Among them was Carl Polisano, who grew up in the area and recalled it being tree-lined and beautiful.
“I remember running around as a kid and on hot days, we could always find shade under the huge trees,” he said. “When I moved back 20 years ago, a lot of the trees had been taken down.”
Polisano said he jumped to help as soon as he heard about the project.
“I have one in front of my house now, and I’m happy,” he said.
Volunteers worked throughout the township, planting 27 trees along Sycamore Street in Natrona and several in the new rain garden at Highlands Middle School.
Workers included preschoolers to retirees, Scouts and students.
William Benedict, 7, showed up with fellow members of Cub Scout Pack 554 from Springdale.
“We want to help the environment in any situation because that’s our Scout oath,” he said.
Members of Highlands Area Girl Scout Troop 52322, led by Jennifer Stewart and Hilary Misejka, used the event to study the importance of trees in a community, their effect on the environment and how to properly care for them.
The Scouts learned about shade, beautification and stormwater management.
The planting event coincided perfectly for a “take-action project,” Stewart said.
Township Commissioner Chuck Dizard was delighted with the turnout, calling it a show of community spirit.
“It’s unbelievable that we have this many people come out to help,” Dizard said.
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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