Over 60 volunteers participated in this planting along Dry Run Road in Apple Knolls subdivision to plant 24 trees on Saturday, April 14.
The neighborhood, which consists of approximately 300 single family homes, is on the site of a former orchard apple. Even though the trees planted through this project weren’t apple trees, they will help restore the historic appeal of the region by increasing tree canopy.
Thanks in large part to the large volunteer turnout, it only took the community a little less than two hours to plant, stake, and mulch all of their trees. The trees were planted along Dry Run, a tributary to the Opequon Creek. All of the trees planted are tolerant of wet conditions and will help reduce streambank erosion, which can be a major source of sediment pollution. Species planted include river birch, sweet gum, silver maple, swamp white oak, sycamore, and black willow.
This is the third community tree planting event that Apple Knolls HOA has coordinated, the first being with WV Division of Forestry. That project was followed by a CommuniTree planting of 50 trees in fall 2014.
This fall, Apple Knolls HOA also participated in Cacapon Institute’s “Your Community BMP” program, with several residents purchasing cost-share tree for their private property. There’s a real sense of satisfaction that comes from beautifying your community while also improving the water quality of local streams. Volunteers from Apple Knolls HOA were able to achieve both of these goals with this project—great job!
“This event was especially memorable because it involved the community that I call home. I am looking forward to seeing the trees grow and mature in the future.”
Project Leader, Wayne Bennett
