Tree planting and seminar

Over thirty people turned out to hear Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forester Herb Peddicord give an urban tree planting seminar Friday afternoon, February 24 on Mercer Street.

Peddicord is responsible for forestry in the eight West Virginia counties that feed the Potomac River Watershed and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
The Streetscape Committee used a $4,500 grant from the Forestry Service to buy 12 medium sized trees to plant along Mercer Street.

The trees were hand selected by the committee at Reading Landscapes and Gardening near Winchester. The trees were planted by Reading workers, rather than citizens, in order to preserve the warranty on the trees.

“The problem we are having today is we are losing our tree canopy in urban areas. Trees in cities and towns are getting older, dying and being cut down. We need to replace them with new trees. Plant the largest trees you can to help restore the canopy,” Peddicord said.

Along with those on the Streetscape Committee, attendees included members of the Lions Club, Master Gardeners, Warm Springs Watershed Association, Town of Bath Tree Committee, Bath street crew, Water Works, WVU Extension Office and other interested citizens.