Why do we need to plant more trees at St. B's?

Doesn’t St. B’s already have plenty of trees?

People have been asking me, “Jack, why does St. B’s need more trees?”

Fair question since we are blessed to be surrounded by trees on all sides here at St. B’s. But there are a number of reasons to plant trees, even where it seems we have plenty:

• Many of our trees are old and some hang over buildings, making them a potential hazard. At some point these older trees will need to be taken down for safety reasons. 
• A few of our largest trees are ash trees. These tall, sturdy shade trees have unfortunately fallen victim to an ash-killing insect, the emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer will definitely kill most ash trees in its path and it has arrived in our vicinity sooner than anticipated. Trees can be chemically treated but treatment is expensive and here at St. B’s we would still be left with large, potentially hazardous trees. At some point these large trees will need to be taken down.
• St. B’s is a dynamic place. Change is part of our DNA. Some changes might necessitate removing older trees. By planting these tree seedlings on November 5 we are insuring that we have other trees to replace the ones that may be lost.
• Many of the trees to be planted are small ornamental trees that will be placed around the perimeter of the parking lot. Most of these understory trees will provide 4-season interest in the form of blooms, fall color, and a variety of shapes that will delight in the summer and the winter.
• Adding trees to the perimeter of our parking lot, along the wood’s edge, will not interfere with overflow parking. They will provide additional forest buffer that will filter pollutants as they wash off the parking lot into the woods that lead to the headwaters of Maiden Choice Run.
• Following installation of the trees we will go back to Baltimore City’s Bureau of Water & Wastewater and seek a further reduction in our stormwater fee based on the addition of the trees.

The trees that will be planted on Saturday, November 5 are native tree seedlings. For several years following installation they will be able to be moved to new locations on our campus as conditions require. Think of this tree planting not only as a way to enhance our already beautiful campus, but as our very own tree nursery for the future.

The Landscape Committee hopes you will join us on Sunday, October 30 for a Faith Forum led by Kolya Braun-Greiner of Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. Kolya will speak about the spiritual dimensions of planting trees and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Then, on Saturday, November 5 the Landscape Committee will host a breakfast in the Parish Hall from 8:30-9:30am for those who will be helping us plant this great selection of native trees. The tree planting will be led by Joanna Freeman of the Alliance for theChesapeake Bay and will conclude by 11:30am.

Jack Lattimore, Chair

Landscape Committee