Casey Trees launches tree planting program

WASHINGTON -- On April 25 and 26, Casey Trees planted 85 trees along a barren stretch of Ft. Lincoln Drive NE in Ward 5 as part of its Large Parcel Tree Planting Pilot Program. An additional 15 trees will be added in mid-May.

 

The Large Parcel Tree Planting Program will add a minimum of 500 trees over two years on large parcels in need of tree cover across Washington, D.C. Added trees will count towards the District’s tree canopy goal of 40 percent by 2035, which requires an average of 8,600 trees be planted each year to be met.

 

Additionally, the Large Parcel Tree Planting Program will allow Casey Trees and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), a key strategic partner in this effort, to experiment with nontraditional planting stock such as root bag, hand-ball and bare root trees and seedlings. Maintenance regimes will also be experimented with. 

 

Tree maintenance, including watering and mulching duties, will be performed by Casey Trees’ Summer Crew, which is made up of D.C.-area high school students and under supervision of Casey Trees staff. 

 

The program is made possible with funding through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund via the Small Watershed Grants Program, which is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. FedEx has provided $20,000 in support of the program as part of its FedEx EarthSmart Outreach initiative, which helps to address environmental challenges. Additional underwriting is provided by Altria and Casey Trees.

 

“At FedEx, we are committed to connecting the world in responsible and resourceful ways both in how we do business and how we serve our communities,” said Rose Jackson Flenorl, Manager of Global Citizenship at FedEx. “Our continued collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in this restoration effort is yet another great example of this commitment.”

 

Future planting sites are currently being sought. Ideal locations have large areas of grass and are singular or contiguous properties and can accommodate a minimum of 100 trees such as cemeteries and institutional landscapes (e.g. hospitals, universities, etc.). Preference will be given to locations within Oxon Run and Rock Creek Watersheds. Sites do not need water access. 

 

“We are thankful to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, FedEx and Altria for providing us the opportunity to pilot test a new planting program that will help us add trees to large swaths of land currently void of vegetation,” said Jim Woodworth, Director of Tree Planting.

 

Site recommendations can be emailed to Woodworth at jwoodworth@caseytrees.org.