300 trees planted in Allegheny National Forest through Plant-A-Tree program
- by Guest Contributor
- June 12, 2024
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By USDA Forest Service – Allegheny National Forest
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service planted over 300 tree seedlings along the Irwin Run stream in the Allegheny National Forest on May 21, 2024. The trees, funded through the agency’s Plant-A-Tree Program, will improve wildlife habitat, provide shade, and reduce soil erosion.
Covering more than 500,000 acres, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only national forest. It dominates the western end of the Pennsylvania Wilds and contains within it and around it some of the region’s most treasured places and experiences. Learn more about the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds here.
In September 2023, the Forest Service partnered with Trout Unlimited to remove a large culvert from Irwin Run. Removal of the culvert restored the natural streambed improving aquatic organism passage, the stream channel, and floodplain functions. This project created a favorable environment for wild trout reproduction as well as salamanders, frogs, crayfish, and other animals that travel along stream corridors.
Image: View of the newly planted trees at the Irwin Run stream restoration site on the Allegheny National Forest. USDA Forest Service photo by Adam Delaney.
During the 2023 project, trees were removed to provide access to the stream and regrade the site to reduce the risk of long-term erosion. To revegetate the area, multiple tree species were planted along Irwin Run including American elm, American sycamore, buttonbush, mountain ash, red spruce, red oak, white oak, and white pine. Additionally, tree tubes and fences were installed to help protect the vulnerable seedlings from animal browsing.
Since 1983, the Forest Service’s Plant-A-Tree Program has allowed for individual donations to be used for reforestation projects across the National Forest System. For more information about the Plant-A-Tree Program in Allegheny National Forest, please visit the Working Together section of the forest website.
About the USDA Forest Service – Allegheny National Forest:
Established in 1923, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only National Forest. Situated on the Allegheny Plateau, the forest is comprised of 514,029 acres in the northwestern corner of the state. The slogan “Land of Many Uses” captures a vision of a healthy, vigorous, working forest that provides timber and wood products, watershed protection, access to underground minerals, ties to cultural history, a diversity of wildlife habitats, and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities — not only today but in a sustainable way so future generations can enjoy these benefits.
