Starting this past spring, the Elm Garden has been transformed by Samuel Royer, lead horticulturalist in the Department of Engineering, and his crew. Due to spacing issues – and to best accommodate the growing needs the Gardens’ plant life – 12 trees had to be removed. Through the coordination of Matthew Menard, physician liaison and Community Relations coordinator, PAH was able to donate the 12 trees to the community. All the trees were found new homes with more room to flourish.
Six thundercloud flowering plum trees (prunus cerasifera for your serious flora fans) and six pink flowering weeping cherry trees (prunus subhirtella pendula), now all approximately three-four years old, were originally planted in about 15 inches of soil in a lined planting bed the Elm Garden. This was fine when the trees were just saplings. However, as the trees grew, it became clear that there was simply not enough room for the roots to expand, the primary reason the trees had to be relocated.
All 12 trees have since found homes with various groups throughout the community including: the Washington Square West neighborhood, The Philadelphia Horticultural Society, Northeast Tree Tenders, and the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse. Relocating trees is tricky business as they are much more fragile than people realize. Each tree had to be replanted virtually immediately after being uprooted. All were safely relocated to their new adoptive homes.
Shown here are three trees donated from PAH in their new adoptive home at the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in East Fairmount Park.
Everyone in the PAH community would like to give a special shout out to Sam Royer and his crew who transformed the Elm and Hart Gardens this spring and summer. “Sam and his team have done such a terrific job transforming these spaces in a small amount of time. We recognize and appreciate their efforts,” said Karla McCaney, vice president, Facilities Management.
