TreeVitalize, a partnership to restore tree cover in the five-county region in Southeastern Pennsylvania, will offer classes this fall to educate residents about planting and caring for trees starting September 14.

The training course is designed for lay people and experts alike, and will offer nine hours of classroom and field training covering: tree biology; urban stresses; tree identification; pruning; root care; fundraising; media outreach; volunteer management and working with local governments.

Students are expected to volunteer time to community tree planting projects in exchange for training. Groups also may qualify for free or discounted trees upon completing the program. The workshops will be held—

· Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 5th St., 5th Floor· Sept. 14, 21 and 28, from 5:45 - 8:45 p.m.

· Delaware County: Ridley Creek State Park, Park Office – Hunting Mill Mansion, MediaOct. 11, 18 and 25, from 6 to 9 p.m.

· Chester County: West Chester Borough Municipal Building, 401 Gay St., West Chester Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and 10 from 6 to 9 p.m.

TreeVitalize aims to educate as many as 2,000 citizens in tree planting and care over the next three years. The $8 million program also has a goal of planting more than 20,000 shade trees in neighborhoods in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

DCNR has partnered with: the state Department of Environmental Protection; Aqua Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Eagles; PECO, an Exelon Co.; U.S. Forest Service; Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; Morris Arboretum; William Penn Foundation; Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association; and county and local governments.

Registration is required. Classes are open to all residents of the five-county region. For more information, contact Mindy Maslin at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at 215-988-8844 or register online .

8/12/2005