As climate change continues to affect our daily lives, many of us feel overwhelmed, and unsure of where to start in making a difference. Fortunately, there is a simple yet impactful action we can all take right here in Chestnut Hill: planting trees.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), through its Tree Tenders Program, is offering free street trees to residents who apply. Chestnut Hill’s own Tree Tenders are a dedicated group of trained volunteers who plant these trees twice a year, in April and November. 

For applications, you can visit the PHS website at PHSonline.org and go to “phsonline.org/programs/tree-tenders” or contact Jean Hemphill, chair of the Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders: HEMPHILL@ballardspahr.com or her co-chair, James McNabb: james@mcnabbstudio.com. Applications are due to PHS by November 27th. Once approved by PHS, your new tree will be planted by Tree Tender volunteers in April 2025. 

Planting trees in urban areas like ours offers many benefits, both locally and city-wide. In Chestnut Hill, we are fortunate to have abundant tree cover, but many of our trees are aging, facing disease, or being lost to development. Planting new trees now will ensure we continue to enjoy their benefits for years to come.

Philadelphia, however, isn’t so lucky city-wide. While our northwest neighborhoods enjoy significant greenery, the city’s tree canopy overall is only 20% – well below the 30% recommended by PHS for a "healthy" urban environment. Worse still, some low-income communities in Philadelphia have less than 3% tree coverage, largely due to historical inequities. Planting trees not only makes our neighborhoods greener, it also helps address these systemic injustices by making our city a healthier and more livable place for everyone.

What exactly do trees do for us? More than most of us realize. Besides their beauty, trees play a crucial role in fighting climate change. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and even lower temperatures by mitigating the urban heat island effect. This is particularly important in Philadelphia, where asphalt and concrete trap heat, making summer days unbearable, especially in areas with fewer trees. In contrast, trees cool the air naturally, which can help reduce energy costs by up to 30% during the hotter months, according to the USDA Forest Service.

Trees also improve our health in other ways. They filter our air and water and provide a habitat and food for wildlife. Studies show that green spaces improve mental health by reducing stress and increasing feelings of well-being. Urban trees are a critical part of our fight against the escalating impacts of climate change, and they make our neighborhoods more enjoyable places to live.

Planting a tree is a small act that has big, lasting impacts on our environment and our community. The benefits are clear, and the process is simple. Apply for your free tree by Nov. 27. It’s a small way to make a big difference – today and for future generations.