Trees and Shrubs

Warrington is a great place to enjoy open space, with over 1000 acres of open space and over 5 miles of trails there is plenty of space for everyone. The WEAC has partnered with several organizations to plant and maintain the following projects: 

October 2016, the WEAC plants habitat clusters at IPW park. The work was completed with the help of an Eagle Scout candidate and other scout volunteers. The WEAC was successful in securing a grant from the Tree Vitalize Watersheds program under the supervision of the Bucks County Conservation District. The grant enabled the WEAC to purchase 12 native trees and 26 native shrubs. Over 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, the project’s ecosystem service benefits will be worth $127 from storm water runoff savings by intercepting 93,000 gallons of rainfall and $139 of savings by reducing 6000 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

Spring 2017, a report prepared for Warrington by Keystone Conservation Trust identifies that Warrington Township’s open spaces, are providing cleaner water, and improving air quality; these benefits account for over $10 million dollars each year. If additional benefits are accounted for such as using some of these lands for outdoor recreation, these lands provide an additional $31 million. By factoring in the avoided health care costs from outdoor recreation adds an additional 17 million. Total estimated benefits from our Open Space exceed $58 million.  

April 2017, The WEAC planted 17 bare root trees at the beginning of the trail in Lower Nike Park. The Township purchased the trees at a very reduced price from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Over 35 National Honor Society (NHS) students from Central Bucks South High School assisted with the planting. Over 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, the project’s ecosystem service benefits will be worth $181 from storm water runoff savings by intercepting 132,000 gallons of rainfall and $172 of savings by reducing 7400 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

May 2017, the WEAC plants over 100 native shrubs along the trail at Lower Nike Park. NHS students, several employees from TruMark Financial and WEAC board members worked tirelessly. Partial funding for the trees was provided by Philadelphia Horticulture Society, thru the tree tender program. Over 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, the project’s ecosystem service benefits will be worth $1,700 from storm water runoff savings by intercepting 1,200,000 gallons of rainfall and $3,300 of savings by reducing 142,000 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

September 2017, the WEAC, distributed approximately 50 Black Gum and American Sycamore trees donated by Bartlett Tree Company at our Annual Warrington Day. Over 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, the project’s ecosystem service benefits will be worth $647 from storm water runoff savings by intercepting 72,400 gallons of rainfall and $1,300 of savings by reducing 56,000 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

April 2018, the WEAC hosted a Native Plant sale. Approximately 200 native trees and shrubs were sold. Over 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, the project’s ecosystem service benefits will be worth $1,300 from storm water runoff savings by intercepting 967,000 gallons of rainfall and $10,250 of savings by reducing 137,200 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

May 2018, The WEAC coordinated planting of 100 Red Maple trees from Bucks Beautiful. The trees were planted on Township owned open space near the intersection of Palomino Drive and Valley Road and the Playground and pond near Barclay Elementary School. The retail value of this effort would have cost taxpayers over $15,000. Over 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, the project’s ecosystem service benefits will be worth $1700 from storm water runoff savings by intercepting 1,200,000 gallons of rainfall and $3,300 of savings by reducing 142,000 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

April 2019, the WEAC coordinated planting of 275 Red Maple trees and 25 Katsura Trees from Bucks Beautiful. Buck Beautiful contractors, Bucks County Gardens and Gale Nurseries planted 225 of the trees and Warrington Township Public Works staff planted the remaining trees. The trees are part of Bucks Beautiful RePlant Bucks Initiative. The trees were planted at Lions Pride, Barness and Nike Parks and the storm water detention basin on Buttercup Boulevard. The retail value of this effort would have cost taxpayers over $45,000. The Return on Environmental Investment will exceed over $83,000 over 25 years. Over 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, the project’s ecosystem service benefits will be worth $4,900 from storm water runoff savings by intercepting 3.6 million gallons of rainfall and $9000 of savings by reducing 408,000 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

 April 2019, the WEAC held a 2nd annual Native Plant sale. Over 500 trees and shrubs were sold.  Over 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, the project’s ecosystem service benefits will be worth $3,300 from storm water runoff savings by intercepting 2,400,000 gallons of rainfall and $21,500 of savings by reducing 332,000 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

April 2022, in celebration of Earth Day, approximately 20 members of the Warrington Environmental Advisory Council (WEAC), two supervisors (Ruth Schemm & Michael Diorka) and members of the Warrington Rotary planted 14 trees along the trail at the Weisel Preserve. These trees were paid for through grant funding from PECO and purchased at a discount, from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) as part of their initiative to increase tree canopy cover in southeastern Pennsylvania. In addition to working with Warrington Township, PHS Tree Tenders program works with more than 100 community groups to plant and care for trees in the Philadelphia region. Their program provides workshops in tree planting and care and volunteer group organization. PHS has trained more than 5,200 people who have gone on to lead volunteers in planting over 25,000 trees. Last weekend’s groups planted over 1,500 trees throughout the Region.

Total Projected Benefits (2022-2047) - Over the next 25 years, based on forecasted tree growth, i-Tree Design projects total benefits worth $728: $160 of storm runoff savings by avoiding 17,902 gallons of storm water runoff (intercepting 116,916 gallons of rainfall); $189 of air quality improvement savings by absorbing and intercepting pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter; reducing energy production needs; and lowering air temperature; $379 of savings by reducing 16,285 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions. Our Township Public Works also assisted by picking up the trees and mulch and delivering them to the site.

October 2022, 16 volunteers planted over 150 small trees and shrubs in the Willow Knoll neighborhood. Cottonwood, River Birch, and Willow trees were planted primarily in the Stormwater Detention Basin and Buttonbush, Nannyberry and Dogwoods were planted along the edge of the basin. An additional 80 trees and shrubs were planted in several other stormwater basins and other important areas. The plant materials were provided by Penn State Cooperative Extension and Bucks County Conservation District, all funded through the Keystone Ten Million Trees Partnership. By 2050 these planting will sequester over 185,000 pounds of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and will avoid over 131,000 gallons of Stormwater Runoff. These benefits including volunteer labor are valued at $6,400. 

November 2022, Mr. Josh Sieto, a member of Boy Scout Troop 6, completed his Eagle Scout project for the Warrington Environmental Advisory Council (WEAC). Josh’s project was the planting 16 large native trees along the trail from Route 202 to Bradford Dam Connector Trail, within the Weisel Preserve. Josh organized over 20 volunteers. The project included digging the holes, planting, staking, mulching, and watering the trees. The project was supervised by six WEAC members and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Tree Tenders, with additional support from Warrington Township Public Works. The trees were subsidized by the PHS Tree Tenders® program, PECO, and the statewide TreeVitalize partnership and through a PECO Green Region Grant. The trees that were planted are all native species to the area, and include Oak, Sugar Maple, and American Yellowwood. The trees will provide habitat for many small animals as well as shade for the trail. In addition, the trees will sequester over 17,000 pounds of CO2 and will capture over 14,000 gallons of stormwater runoff over the next 25 years. The overall value of the project saved taxpayers over $8,000.