The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will lead hands-on Tree Tender Workshops this fall in Delaware, Chester and Philadelphia counties to help residents take an important step in impacting the environment in their communities.

The free, nine-hour training includes tree identification, proper planting and maintenance techniques and a lesson in community organizing. Registration is required. The training will be held:

· September 10, 17 & 24 in Delaware County -- 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Springfield Township Municipal Building, 50 Powell Rd., Springfield;

· September 25, October 2 & 7 in Chester County -- 6-9 p.m. Thurs., , Valley Forge Christian College 1401 Charlestown Rd., Phoenixville; and

· October15, 22 & 29 in Philadelphia County -- 5:45-8:45 p.m. Wednesdays, , PHS, 100 North 20th St., 5th Fl., Philadelphia.

Since 1993, PHS’ Tree Tenders program has trained more than 2,000 community volunteers from 150 neighborhoods in Southeast Pennsylvania.

Tree Tenders help to support the TreeVitalize program designed by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, working to increase tree cover and the benefits trees offer.

Trees not only improve air quality, but studies show greening can serve as an economic stimulus tool and raise nearby property values by up to 30 percent. Properly placed trees help to moderate indoor/outdoor temperatures, and can reduce energy costs, noise pollution and crime rates among many other environmental, social and health benefits.

Although individuals are welcome in this free training program, groups of three or more neighbors who complete the training can become an active Tree Tender group and receive tools and special opportunities/resources for planting trees in public spaces.

To register, call Dawn Waters, 215-988-8810 or register online on the Tree Tender Workshops webpage.

For more information about the Tree Tenders program, contact Barbara Van Clief, 215-988-8793 or send email to: bvanclief@pennhort.org , or Mindy Maslin, 215-988-8844 or send email to: mmaslin@pennhort.org .

7/11/2008