Planting Memorial Trees and Celebration Trees in Pennsylvania
Why We Plant in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to over 16.6 million acres of forest, forming part of the Appalachian hardwood region. These forests provide countless benefits, from supporting biodiversity to safeguarding the state’s water resources. In Pennsylvania, planting trees is more than an act of environmental stewardship—it’s a deeply meaningful way to commemorate life’s milestones. Whether you’re honoring the memory of a loved one, celebrating a joyous occasion, or marking an achievement, planting a tree in the Keystone State creates a living legacy that will grow for generations.
Which Trees Grow in Pennsylvania Forests?
Pennsylvania is home to more than 16 million acres of forested land. These forests are a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees that thrive in the state’s varied climate and terrain. The trees play a critical role in the state’s environmental and economic health. Choosing the right tree species for Pennsylvania’s unique climate ensures they thrive and support local ecosystems. Some of the most common native tree species include:
Red Oak (Quercus rubra): Known for its strength and vibrant fall foliage.
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): A cornerstone species that contributes to Pennsylvania’s maple syrup production and stunning autumn landscapes.
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): Pennsylvania’s state tree, providing shade and stabilizing streambanks.
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina): A valuable hardwood species that supports pollinators and wildlife.
White Pine (Pinus strobus): A towering conifer that contributes to the state’s diverse forest canopy.
Pennsylvania’s forests sequester millions of tons of carbon annually. Forested areas act as natural filters, improving the quality of water flowing into the state’s rivers and streams, including the Susquehanna and Delaware. Reforestation efforts in Pennsylvania focus on restoring degraded lands, especially in areas affected by deforestation and development. Connecting fragmented forest habitats supports wildlife migration and biodiversity.
Lake Pleasant Mine Land Reforestation Project
The Lake Pleasant Mine Land Reforestation Project is an inspiring effort to restore over 100 acres of ecologically degraded land in Pennsylvania’s Lake Pleasant Conservation Area. By planting 70,000 native trees and shrubs in spring 2025, this initiative aims to revive the area’s natural beauty, create thriving wildlife habitats, and combat climate change through increased carbon sequestration. This ambitious project not only addresses the legacy of mining activities but also fosters ecological resilience and strengthens partnerships between organizations like the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the French Creek Valley Conservancy, and Green Forests Work. Your contribution can directly support these transformative efforts, helping to turn once-damaged land into a flourishing ecosystem that benefits local communities, wildlife, and the environment. Be a part of restoring Lake Pleasant—your support can make a lasting impact.
10 Million Tree Partnership
PA Watershed Implementation Plans – Phase 3 (PA WIP3) addresses agricultural, forestry, and stormwater goals within the Chesapeake Bay. Planting trees helps make progress toward the PA WIP3 goal of 83,000 acres of buffers within the Susquehanna and Potomac watersheds. While many projects are directed to farmland, it may not exclusively be agricultural lands depending on the priorities and demand within the counties. Priority counties mentioned below, while each unique, have a significant agricultural production presence. Depending what commodity selected, these counties account for more than half of agricultural production in PA. Crop yields and livestock units combine to increase nutrient loading. Seven of the eight counties are in southern Pennsylvania with a high nutrient and sediment delivery load to the Chesapeake Bay. Priority sites include:
- Trees along and upland of streams (particularly along agricultural properties known as “riparian buffers”)
- Includes upland, agroforestry, and silvopasture plantings
- Urban and suburban (including focused street tree plantings within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed)
- Mine land landscapes via the recommendations from the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Forestry Reclamation Approach.
Ecological Benefits
Adding 10 million native trees to the Pennsylvania landscape will improve the Bay’s water quality by stabilizing stream and river banks, filtering water flow from agricultural, urban, and abandoned mine land environments. Unprecedented resources and streamlined access to diverse species of high-quality trees and supplies to encourage healthy forest buffer implementation. The goal is more than just planting trees. The proposal insists on services and products that favor thriving forest buffers that result in significant nutrient and sediment reductions for years. Adding 10 million native trees to the Pennsylvania landscape will boost the economy through trees’ ability to reduce public health costs, crime, and engaging local industry such as nurseries, garden centers and like-minded industries.
Leave a Legacy in Pennsylvania
Planting a tree in Pennsylvania with The Trees Remember ensures that your contribution supports active reforestation projects. These projects focus on selecting native species for specific locations to maximize ecological benefits and long-term survival. Each tree planted helps restore Pennsylvania’s natural beauty.