Photo:Tony Webb/City of Philadelphia

The Fairmount Park Commission and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) joined forces in 1993 to launch the Tree Tenders project which helps address concerns of residents about our urban forest.

Twice a year, through Tree Tenders, Philadelphia residents can take a free basic training course which teaches general tree-care, organization-building skills and grant writing. "The goal is to make each group as self-sufficient as possible," notes PHS project manager Mindy Maslin.

Today, there are 1,400 Tree Tenders representing nearly 100 groups. Thanks to their efforts, 6,000 trees have been planted, 10,000 have been pruned, and $250,000 have been raised for plantings and maintenance.

Tree Vitalize, developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is designed to increase the tree canopy in the five county Philadelphia area. Tree Vitalize partners with community groups and works toward planting trees in neighborhoods needing tree canopy.