The
project involved planting of 150 native trees provided
through the CommuniTree program, along both sides of the
Route 9 paved bicycle trail within the City of Ranson. The
goal of the project is to enhance the environmental,
aesthetic, and public use functions of the Trail corridor
through community based partnerships for tree planting and
maintenance. The species were selected to provide
all-season visual interest, wildlife habitat, shade, and
effective screening of the highway and adjacent development
The central feature of the project was the planting of 81
redbud trees. When mature, the trees will provide a
spectacular show of mid-spring blossoms.
The
activities during the planting week of April 8 were an
impressive demonstration of cooperation, thanks to the
combined support of the WV CommuniTree Program, the City of
Ranson, neighborhood volunteers, the Eastern Panhandle
Trailblazers, our local newspapers, and the especially the
students and parents from Harpers Ferry Middle School and
the students and staff from the Job Corps. There were
roughly 55 volunteers who participated on project day The
weather also cooperated fully – sunny and warm for the
preparations and planting,
The
planting and advance preparations involved the following
activities, which all took place on time and without
incident!
On Wednesday, April 10th,
the Ranson Public Works augured the planting holes,
delivered the trees and supplies from the nursery to the
planting site. Thursday, April 11th was planting
day.
Volunteers
from the Harpers Ferry Job Corps and Harpers Ferry Middle
School received training in tree planting from CTree Liaison
Herb Peddicord, Chesapeake Bay Forester with WV Division of
Forestry. Reporters from the Spirit of Jefferson and
the Martinsburg Journal conducted interviews, took
photographs, and subsequently prepared interesting and
informative articles on the event. Some of the volunteers
also helped bag trash along the project corridor.
A note
from the Project Leader, Dr. William Gregg:
“I
enjoyed working with the CTree Liaison, whose
professionalism, commitment, and helpful advice supported
every aspect of the project, from early planning to
successful planting!”