Jean Hemphill and Bob Pomichter plant a tree in Chestnut Hill as part of the Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders program.

Looking for a way to beautify your home and neighborhood? Think trees!

The Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society offers residents free street trees for a limited time only.

Chestnut Hill currently benefits from numerous lovely mature trees; however, many trees are aging and need to be replaced for future generations. With summer around the corner, now is the perfect time to take stock of areas in your yard and neighborhood that might benefit from some tree plantings.

There are plenty of benefits to having a tree-lined neighborhood:

• Trees help cool our communities. Stand under the shade of a tree on a hot summer’s day and feel the drop in temperature.

• Trees act as nature’s air conditioners. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen and water vapor.

• Native trees such as oaks, serviceberries, cherries, birch trees, and hollies, among others, provide food for beneficial insects and birds.

• Tree lined streets have a calming effect on drivers and help slow traffic.

• Studies have shown that trees planted in front of home increase real estate values.

• City streets lined with trees make urban living more enjoyable and attractive.

Want to get your own free street tree? Pennsylvania Horticultural Society provides trees to the various neighborhood tree tender programs. Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders has applications available now for fall planting for a limited time only - until May 1.

Visit PHS’s website to upload a “Street Tree Request Form,” or contact Jean McCoubrey at jean.mccoubrey@gmail.com. Upon approval, the Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders will plant your tree this fall. You’ll be helping to further green our community and our planet!