RICHMOND, Va. — Richmonders and members of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation planted more than 300 trees on Saturday to re-green parts of the Oak Grove neighborhood.
Volunteers were given shovels, mulch and various trees that will provide shade in the neighborhood.
FULL INTERVIEW: Why 300 trees were just planted in Richmond neighborhood
The new vegetation will also help reduce pollution and offer health benefits for the community after a summer of damaging weather in Virginia, according to members of the organization.
"The purpose is to cool this neighborhood, because it used to be a really shady oasis, and right now it's gotten hotter," Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Urban Restoration Manager Anne Jurczyk said. "Trees are wonderful. They clean the air, they reduce our stress levels. They're great for water quality. They provide habitat for birds."
But Jurczyk said another important reason for the project was because the neighborhood used to have a lot of trees.
"This Oak Grove neighborhood used to be completely lined with street trees. It was absolutely stunning," she said. "But some of those trees have gotten older and they're actually too big for the space that they're in. So they've caused some problems with homeowners. So we're in the process of re-greening this street."
The varieties of trees planted included black gums, cherries, oaks, sweetbay magnolias and winter king hawthorn to "provide both the esthetic and the shade for the street."
Jurczyk estimated that it would take about 10 years to see a consistent canopy up and down the street.
"We're just really fortunate," Jurczyk said. "The soil is great. It's a nice wide tree lawn, and, you know, it's a beautiful neighborhood."
Jurczyk said city crews will plant more trees in the neighborhood later this year.
Abby Huston, who has lived in the neighborhood for just over a year, was very excited when she learned about the project.
"The neighborhood right next door has trees all lining it and I love driving down that street," Huston said. "So I'm really glad that we get that too."
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