Request A Free Shade Tree For Your Haverford Township Home

Haverford Township Tree Tenders is partnering with Haverford Township to give residents some shade trees on their property.

The tree tenders, an all-volunteer tree planting group, are offering 50 free trees to residents who will plant the largest sized shade trees (50 feet or taller at maturity) in their front yards.

Trees are subject to availability and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis – usually one per address. Spring 2017 planting days are Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 . Interested residents must fill out and return the order form with a signed waiver by April 1.

Free trees are large-species trees only. Trees available this year, each in limited supply, are Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Swamp White Oak, London Plane Tree, River Birch, and American Elm.

Contact Tree Tender Jeanne Angell at angellsrus@comcast.net if you would like descriptions of these trees and/or need help with selection.

Check out the Haverford Township Tree Tenders tree selection guide online here.

"Large-species trees enhance the environment exponentially over smaller varieties. Every leaf on a tree creates oxygen and filters pollutants in the air. Each foot of shade-providing canopy reduces the work of air conditioners in the summer," the tree tenders said. "Each inch of root mass improves storm water management and the filtration of water-borne pollutants. In addition to environmental benefits, the grandeur of large trees creates a sense of history and place for the Township, enhancing the quality of life and raising property values."

The tree tenders said many large trees in Haverford have died over the last two decades and remaining trees are reaching the end of their life cycles.

Trees must be planted on the lawn side of the sidewalk unless your planting strip is 48 inches or wider and may not be planted directly under wires.

Anyone looking for a tree from the tree tenders should mark the spot with a stake where you would like the tree planted before April 10 so Public Works crews can dig the hole in advance. Residents are asked to make a hose or large bucket of water available on the planting day.

Resident must also agree to water the tree once a week in mild to hot weather when the township does not have significant rainfall that week. After planting, trees should be watered weekly until November, and again in the spring, summer, and early fall of 2018.

You can download a tree request form online here.

Completed forms should be returned to Jeanne Angell, Haverford Township Tree Tenders, 25 Tenby Road, Havertown, PA 19083 by April 1.

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