Shade tree-planting project blooming
Commission aims to aid watershed
Clarks Summit's Shade Tree Commission has set a lofty goal - literally.
Starting Jan. 1, the commission expects to plant 90 trees per year over the next 25 years to increase the tree canopy in Clarks Summit from 33.9 percent to 40 percent.
"It's something that's been in the works for a while," Shade Tree Commission President Donna Zagrapan said. "I think we are finally ready for the challenge."
Organized in 2006, the commission has removed dozens of trees in hazardous and poor condition in the borough, planting a new, healthy tree for each one cut down.
Though its initiative helps to beautify the area, the commission is driven by one goal: to help divert stormwater runoff from drains, streets and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
"We've made a commitment to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay, and this is the most cost-efficient way," Ms. Zagrapan said.
For the last few years, Clarks Summit and other municipalities in the Abingtons have dealt with aging sewer systems flooded by stormwater runoff. To reduce the runoff, the commission decided to plant trees, such as a mature deciduous trees like oaks, which can divert as much as 700 gallons of stormwater each year, Ms. Zagrapan said.
"It's amazing how much one tree can do to control runoff," Ms. Zagrapan said. "Plus, the trees provide us with health benefits by the additional trees' ability to take in carbon dioxide."
In order to accomplish its goal of planting 90 trees per year, the commission organized the project into three land use categories: public, commercial and residential.
Under the current plan, the commission will plant 53 trees in residential areas and 35 in public areas every year.
"We developed this strategy based on the available planting space each land use offers," Ms. Zagrapan said. "Right now, we are still in the design stages, so we only have plans for 26 of the 90 trees for next year."
Using a $3,900 grant from the state's Tree Vitalize program, the commission will plant those 26 trees along Gerrity's Plaza and Winola Road.
From there, the commission will look for other suitable areas to plant, though Ms. Zagrapan cautions that's not always as easy as it seems.
"A lot of businesses don't let us plant in front of their shop because they think it will block their sign," Ms. Zagrapan said. "And some homeowners don't want trees because they believe they will be an annoyance in the middle of their yard."
Among those supportive of the project is borough council President Gerrie Carey, who said she's admired Ms. Zagrapan's initiative for quite some time.
"Donna has gone out of her way to do great for the borough for years," Ms. Carey said. "This is just another example."
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