The joy of trees

In reference to "City's Free Tree Program Takes Root" (April 16): What a delight to see all the new trees sprouting along Penn and Liberty avenues through Lawrenceville and the Strip District. Street trees are vitally important to sustaining a healthy and livable city and, particularly, in these working neighborhoods where trees are few and far apart. Not only do they significantly contribute to cleaner air and help with stormwater management, they also add a touch of beauty to our daily lives.

Congratulations and a well-deserved thank you to Lisa Ceoffe and the Shade Tree Commission and also to all the organizations that support and fund the TreeVitalize program and its goal to plant 20,000 trees in Pittsburgh by 2012.

The overwhelming popularity of the city's free tree program is another demonstration that Pittsburghers support and want an environmentally friendly future.

STEPHEN QUICK

Friendship