RICHMOND, Va. – Richmonders and members of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation planted more than 300 trees Saturday to regreen parts of the Oak Grove neighborhood.
Volunteers were provided with shovels, mulch and several trees to provide shade in the area.
FULL INTERVIEW: Why 300 trees were just planted in the Richmond neighborhood
FULL INTERVIEW: Why 300 trees were just planted in the Richmond neighborhood
The new vegetation will also help reduce pollution and provide health benefits to the community after a summer of damaging weather in Virginia, organization members said.
“Trees are great, but they clean the air and reduce our stress levels. They’re great for water quality,” said Anne Jurczyk, urban recovery manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “They provide habitat for birds. We have a declining population of songbirds, but probably in this area.”
WTV
But Jurczyk said another big reason for the project was that the neighborhood used to have a lot of trees.
“This neighborhood in Oak Grove used to be completely lined with street trees. It was absolutely beautiful,” she said. “But some of those trees have gotten older and are actually too big for the space they are in. So they have caused problems for homeowners. So we are working on making this street greener again.”
The varieties of trees planted include black gum, cherry, oak, laurel magnolia and wren hawthorn to “provide both aesthetics and shade for the street”.
Jurczyk estimated it would take about 10 years before a consistent canopy could be seen throughout the street.
“We’re just very lucky,” Jurczyk said. “The land is great. It’s a nice wide lawn of trees, and you know, it’s a beautiful neighborhood.”
WTV
Abby Huston
Abby Huston, who has lived in the area for just over a year, was very excited when she heard about the project.
“The neighborhood next door is surrounded by trees and I love driving down that street,” Huston said. “So I’m very happy that we get that too.”
CBS 6 is committed to sharing the community’s voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
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