WASHINGTON, D.C. — D.C. has almost 1,400 new trees thanks to Casey Trees and the 1041 adult and youth volunteers who helped to plant them through Casey Trees’ Spring 2015 Community Tree Planting and School Tree Planting programs.
The spring planting season, which ran from March to May, brings the total number of trees planted by Casey Trees to over 20,000, and inches D.C. closer to reaching 40 percent canopy by 2032.
“This season, the Casey Trees staff and volunteers were truly excited to be planting in and around incredible places,” said Casey Trees Arborist Becky Schwartz. “This included National Park Service forests, community landmarks, neighborhood schools and D.C. cultural icons.”
This season’s largest planting, adding 340 trees at Fort Dupont Park in Southeast D.C., also coincided with Casey Trees planting its 20,000th tree.
“It was a great moment to reflect on both the many past plantings and those yet to come,” said Tree Planting Director Jim Woodworth. “So many helping hands from our community partners and volunteers make our work both possible and meaningful.”
Trees were planted at 14 schools and 10 other sites across the District, a map of which can be found here. With volunteer help, 425 trees were also planted at the Casey Tree Farm in Berryville, Virginia, that, when more mature, will be replanted within the District.
Established in 2005, the Community Tree Planting and School Tree Planting programs provide trees, tools and technical assistance at no cost to groups interested in adding 10 or more trees to private and public property. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but those received by May 1, 2016 will be considered for a fall 2016 or spring 2017 planting date.