Impact of Park Trees

Rooted In Research (1)

Park trees are an essential component of our mission. We plant trees, we nurture their development, and we continue to fight threats facing the canopy they form. Even more, we’ve contributed to discoveries in the field of forestry that are shaping the future of our parks locally and sparking important conversations across the globe. The following studies were conducted from our daily work in Pittsburgh. 

Support Pittsburgh’s Park Tree Fund 

If this content interests you, please consider a donation to our Park Tree Fund. Our donors receive quarterly updates from the horticulture and forestry team and invitations to tree identification hikes in nearby parks. 

In a study that won a national award, renowned botanist Dr. Cynthia Morton and our retired horticulture and forestry director Phil Gruszka discovered ten genetically identical species among commonly planted park trees, including the dying London planetrees that once dominated Pittsburgh’s nurseries in the 1920s and lined the perimeter of Schenley Plaza. Nearly 100 of them had to be replaced by the Parks Conservancy in our transformation of this site

In 2019, we planted 100 American yellowwood seedlings on a sloping hill in Schenley Park, creating a living laboratory to monitor the future viability of this species in our climate zone, knowing global warming is real and urban foresters need to plan accordingly. 

Here’s how we put that research to use:  

We plant hundreds of restoration trees every year—with careful consideration of location, species, and the local data we've collected. Included in the groups of volunteers we mobilize are local students who will come to know our parks as they evolve, hopefully for the better. This November, our reforestation efforts will be focused on the following parks: 

Frick Park

Especially at the Clayton Hill Deer Exclosures, our largest ecological restoration project to date! 

Hays Woods Park

In 2023, we planted our first restoration trees up the trail from the Glass Run Road Trailhead. More will be planted this fall at the Agnew Road Trailhead! 

Riverview Park

Dozens of restoration trees were planted this spring in the woodlands surrounding the Chapel Shelter. 

McKinley Park

More coming soon! We most recently planted dozens of young pawpaw trees here. 

Emerald View Park

You’ll find a number of small deer exclosures around Emerald View, most recently near the Greenleaf trailhead.

Thank You!

You generosity makes this work possible. Thank you for being a friend of the parks. 

Mellon Park Walled Garden Spring Green Walkway

Support research-backed plantings in your parks.  

Become a Park Tree Fund supporter today, and you’ll begin receiving quarterly updates from our horticulture and forestry department and invitations to tree identification hikes throughout the year.   

Make a Gift Today 

Become a Canopy Keeper 
 (a monthly giving program for Pittsburgh’s tree lovers) 

Want to keep learning?

We encourage you to continue exploring! These links below are a good start. Better yet, find a way to become more engaged with our crew!

 
TribLive, July 2024
 
 
“Diversity is Key to a Resilient Future Forest”
National Recreation and Park Association, 2019
 
 
Episode 3 of our podcast, For the Love of Parks. It’s all about trees!