Abington, PA Shade Tree Commission

10/16/2026

Leave the leaves this fall.

Fallen leaves are a valuable natural resource. They enrich the soil, retain moisture, protect plant roots, and provide overwintering habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

Rather than bagging them for disposal, consider leaving leaves in garden beds, mulching them into your lawn, or composting the excess.

Penn State Extension offers practical advice for putting fall leaves to good use while keeping your landscape maintained.

Read more: https://www.psu.edu/news/agricultural-sciences/story/qa-why-fallen-leaves-are-gift-worth-keeping

Abington Township Shade Tree Commission

Fallen leaves can benefit soil, plants, pollinators and other wildlife. Annette MaCoy, Penn State Extension Master Gardener coordinator for Franklin County, shares tips for making the most of fall leaves.

10/05/2026

American sycamore is a distinctive native shade tree, known for its broad canopy and striking mottled bark that becomes increasingly white with age.

Give it room to grow, and it can become a defining feature of the landscape for generations while it provides substantial shade and valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.

American sycamores are available through the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission’s Free Tree Giveaway.

Reserve your free tree while supplies last.
https://get.arborday.org/abingtonstc



Photo: Marty Aligata / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

10/02/2026

Claim your free tree and add more character, shade, and color to your yard.

Abington Township residents can reserve up to two free trees for the Fall Tree Giveaway.

Saturday, October 24 | Crestmont Park

Reserve your trees:
https://www.abingtonpa.gov/199/STC-Tree-Giveaway

10/01/2026

Help protect mature trees at Roychester Park.

Join the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission for a Free-A-Tree Invasive Vine Removal event:

Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

No experience needed. Come for an hour or stay for the whole event.

Registration: www.abingtonpa.gov/stcevents

09/24/2026

“The most valuable part of a mature tree isn’t the wood. It’s the years.”

Read the latest Under the Canopy column from the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission in Glenside Local:

The following was submitted to the Glenside Local by Ed Stevenson for the Abington Shade Tree Commission: If you’ve ever … Continue reading "Under the Canopy: What Is That Tree in Your Yard Worth? | Abington Shade Tree Commission"

09/22/2026

To thank all of the generous volunteers who support the Shade Tree Commission, we’re hosting a casual potluck social at Alverthorpe Park on Saturday, October 17, from 12–3 PM.

There’s no need to bring a dish, but you’re welcome to if you’d like. Come enjoy some good food, and spend time with fellow STC volunteers.

And most importantly: NO WORK! Just good food, good company, and a chance to enjoy our volunteer community.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CA8AC28A7FBC52-65976736-volunteer #/

09/22/2026

Registration is now open for the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission’s tree giveaway. American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is one of the native species available this year.

A large, fast-growing canopy tree, sycamore can reach 75 feet or more at maturity and is best suited to locations with plenty of room to grow. It performs best in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soils, including moist conditions.

Its most recognizable feature is its mottled bark, which peels away to reveal patches of white, tan, gray, and green. Large leaves provide generous summer shade, while round seed balls often remain on the branches into winter.

American sycamore is especially well suited to larger properties, stream corridors, and other locations where a substantial native shade tree has room to develop.

Abington Township residents may reserve up to two trees while supplies last. Registration is required.

https://www.abingtonpa.gov/treegiveaway

09/22/2026

Registration is now open for the Abington Township Fall Tree Giveaway.

One of this year’s available species is bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), a large, long-lived native shade tree known for its broad crown, deeply furrowed bark, and distinctive fringed acorns.

Bur oak is a good choice where there is room for a substantial canopy tree. It provides exceptional habitat value, supporting hundreds of species of caterpillars as well as birds and other wildlife.

Abington Township residents may reserve up to two trees while supplies last. Registration is required.

View available species and register:
https://www.abingtonpa.gov/treegiveaway

09/22/2026

Registration is now open for the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission’s tree giveaway. American hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) is one of the native species available this year.

Typically growing 25–40 feet tall, hophornbeam works well in residential landscapes where a full-sized canopy tree may be too large. It performs well in sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.

Its shaggy bark provides year-round interest, while clusters of hop-like fruits appear among the foliage in summer and fall. The seeds also provide food for birds and other wildlife. Its exceptionally hard wood gives the tree another common name: ironwood.

Abington Township residents may reserve up to two trees while supplies last. Registration is required.

https://www.abingtonpa.gov/treegiveaway

09/17/2026

Registration is now open for Abington Township’s Tree Giveaway.

Township residents may reserve up to two trees while supplies last. Registration is required.

View the available species and register:

https://www.abingtonpa.gov/treegiveaway